Quebec Public Health is concerned about the circulation of counterfeit tablets in the region, after having identified a case of non-fatal overdose in a young person last September. He had taken a fake painkiller pill that actually contained an opioid “25 times stronger than fentanyl.”
The powerful substance in question, protonitazepyne, was in a tablet that mimicked the appearance of Percocet, a painkiller. For confidentiality reasons, Public Health has indicated that it cannot reveal further information about the overdose case that occurred in September.
Protonitazepyne was detected in Quebec for the first time in February 2024. It was then discovered in counterfeit OxyContin tablets, a pain medication.
This case of non-fatal overdose in a young person alerted the health authorities, raises Dr. Anne-Frédérique Lambert-Slythe, medical advisor to the Public Health Department of the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. “We suspected it, but we have objective data showing that we have counterfeit tablets like that which can circulate among our young people. »
Teenagers who take counterfeit pills are at greater risk of developing serious overdoses, she continues. “Often they have never used opioids. Their tolerance is therefore much lower than someone who might consume more frequently. »
The presence of counterfeit tablets which may contain powerful opioids is an “increasingly frequent” phenomenon, says Dr. Lambert-Slythe.
Do not “close your eyes”
Several adolescents take psychoactive substances, underlines the doctor. “The message for parents is to open a dialogue with young people and not turn a blind eye to consumption. The idea is for their children to feel comfortable talking about it with them if they want to. »
Dr. Anne-Frédérique Lambert-Slythe also reminds us of the importance of always having a naloxone kit with you, because it is an effective antidote to opioid overdoses. In some cases, however, several doses of this medication may be necessary to reverse the effects of these substances.
It is also strongly recommended not to consume alone, adds Dr. Lambert-Slythe, because this increases the risk of death. Mixing substances should also be avoided, as this can lead to severe poisoning or an overdose which can be fatal.
