SA Health issued a warning about the drug, called protonitazene, this morning.

In a statement, SA Health said protonitazene was “suspected to have played a role in the death of an Adelaide man, while a young woman has been hospitalised after being exposed to the lethal drug”.

The woman remains in the Royal Adelaide Hospital while the man’s death is being investigated by the Coroner.

SA Health said two men needed hospital treatment last week after two confirmed overdoses.

It said the cases confirmed that protonitazene was now in the state’s illicit drug market and may be contaminating non-opioid illicit drugs such as methamphetamine.

“Individuals exposed to protonitazene are at a high risk of opioid poisoning, and the drug can produce life-threatening toxic effects at low doses. People using drugs while unsupervised or alone are at particular risk,” SA Health warned.

Illicit drug users are “strongly encouraged” to have access to naloxone (Nyxoid spray or Narcan) which was  available free at most pharmacies without a prescription, “but should not anticipate that this will remove the risk of death associated with drug use”.

“We are once again reminding all South Australians that the effects of protonitazene and drugs that it could be disguised in are capable of causing an overdose that could be fatal,” Drug and Alcohol Services SA acting state director Victoria Cock said.

“There is major concern that this drug is being mixed with other illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, and that people are being accidentally exposed to it. Even if used knowingly by a regular opioid user, there is a high chance of overdose and death.”

SA Health said that anyone who has taken a recreational drug with unexpected effects should call 000 or present to their closest Emergency Department immediately.