Urgent warning issued over Fentanyl-like zombie drug wreaking havoc in the US is now taking over western Sydney following a spate of overdoses

An urgent warning has been issued over a new opioid drug following a spate of overdoses.

Nitazenes have been found in drug samples related to a cluster of about 20 overdoses reported in the Penrith area, in Sydney’s west, over the last month.

The synthetic super-strength opioid is similar to Fentanyl, which has ravaged parts of the US, leading to addicts strewn across the streets or staggering around in a drugged-up haze in cities like New York, Sacramento, Philadelphia, and Portland.

But the drug – manufactured in illicit Chinese labs and smuggled overseas – is even more dangerous than Fentanyl and hundreds of times more potent than heroin, making users far more likely for users to overdose.

‘Nitazenes are extremely potent,’ NSW Health Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist, Dr Hester Wilson said in a public health statement.

It is important that people recognize the signs of an opioid overdose early and know how to respond.

‘Opioids such as heroin can cause pin-point pupils, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing/snoring and skin turning blue/grey and can be life-threatening.

‘One of the dangers of illicit drug supply is the strength and contents of the substance you are getting is unknown and can be inconsistent.

‘In light of this detection, people who use drugs such as heroin should carry naloxone.’

NSW Health notes that naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose but it has to be delivered ‘rapidly’ as the drug is more likely to trigger respiratory arrest.

Nitazenes can last longer in the body than heroin and naloxone, therefore higher and repeated doses of naloxone are often required as well as hospital treatment.

The drugs trigger feelings of pain relief, euphoria, relaxation and sleepiness but also sweating, itching and nausea.

Anyone who uses naloxone is urged to call Triple Zero for an ambulance immediately after use for follow-up care.