• Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024

    A cluster of multi-drug intoxications involving xylazine, benzimidazole opioids (nitazenes) and novel benzodiazepines in South Australia.

    • Emma Partridge, Peter Stockham, Michaela Kenneally, Andrew Luong, Chris Kostakis, and Sam Alfred.
    • Forensic Science SA (Toxicology), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
    • Emerg Med Australas. 2024 Oct 10.

    ObjectiveTo highlight the detection of xylazine and nitrazolam in conjunction with benzimidazole opioids (nitazenes) and other novel benzodiazepines in a cluster of patients after putative heroin use.MethodsDeidentified clinical and analytical data were gathered from patients enrolled in the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia system.ResultsIn December 2023, three adults presented to the ED with sedation following putative use of heroin. Toxicological analysis of blood samples identified xylazine, protonitazene, metonitazene, bromazolam and nitrazolam. Local health authorities subsequently issued an alert.ConclusionThis is the first signal of xylazine and nitrazolam use in Australia. These results demonstrate toxico-surveillance programmes with analytical confirmation of drugs are invaluable in monitoring illicit drug use.© 2024 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.

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