Montreal Officials Are Warning Of A Blue Pill With An Opioid 'Stronger Than Fentanyl'
The regional public health authority is warning of a newly identified blue pill in Montreal after a report of a death.
In a statement on Friday, the Direction régionale de santé publique (DRSP) described the pill as a "blue, round, scored tablet with the inscription 'A/215' and a bisecting slit on the same side."
"Based on the description," the DRSP wrote, "this product appears to be a counterfeit of an oxycodone 30 mg tablet."
"However, the sample tested contained isotonitazene instead of oxycodone so consumers may be exposed to isotonitazene without their knowledge."
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We invite you to be vigilant and to inform us of any situation suggesting exposure to this newly identified drug in Montreal.
Direction régionale de santé publique (DRSP)
The DRSP warned that isotonitazene is a synthetic opioid that's "stronger than fentanyl" and poses a high risk of death, especially for "consumers who may be unknowingly exposed to it."
The public health authority said the pills "could be sold on the black market as Percocet tablets."
"Montreal's DRSP invites street drug users, regardless of their mode of consumption (by ingestion, injection, inhalation or other means), to be cautious and encourages clinicians and workers to enhance death prevention interventions for them."
It advised that "Naloxone should be used to reverse the effects of an overdose of this substance."