Warning issued over "dangerous" contaminated ketamine circulating in Manchester

A warning has been issued after traces of a dangerous sedative were found in ketamine circulating Manchester.

The Manchester Drug Analysis & Knowledge Exchange (MANDRAKE) shared the alert via Instagram today (November 19), claiming that multiple samples it had tested came back positive for medetomidine, a powerful non-opiod sedative used by vets on large animals.

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The Manchester-based harm reduction organisation says that when medetomidine is combined with ketamine, it's likely to cause "extreme prolonged sedation, which could prove fatal," also warning of the risks of "sexual assault and robbery" as a result of being sedated.

While concerns around ketamine usage usually tend to be around the effects of the drug itself, such as dependency, bladder damage and overdose, there has been a rise in drugs, such as xylazine, found in ketamine. 

Though medetomidine is similar to xylazine, a tranquilliser which is often used in combination with ketamine in a veterinary context, medetomidine is said to be "200 times more potent."

MANDRAKE recommends users test ketamine with medetomidine test strips, and wait "at least an hour" after taking a small bump to take another.

Read this next: Warnings issued over “potentially fatal” ketamine circulating Manchester

If you believe your friend or anyone else may have taken contaminated ketamine and has become unconscious, it's important to contact a medical or welfare professional immediately, ensure their airways are unblocked and put them in the recovery position until help arrives.

MANDRAKE has shared an infographic with more information below.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter