Interior Health is warning people in Kelowna that there are fake oxycodone pills that don’t respond to the live-save drug naloxone.

The alert is for pills that look like 20 milligram oxycodone tablets or Percocet but they don’t contain either. The pills actually contain medetomidine, which is a strong tranquilizer that isn’t an opioid so it does not respond to naloxone.

“Medetomidine is a very strong tranquilizer. It can cause breathing and heart rate to slow
down, which makes overdoses more complicated and last longer,” Interior Health said in the alert.

Fake oxycodone isn’t a new thing.

Back in February, Interior Health warned people about fake pills that contained fentanyl, but this new version is different because of the medetomidine.

The alert is in effect until June 10.

Kelowna RCMP said it “hasn’t seen any recent large seizures of pills or fake oxy.”

“The Kelowna RCMP detachment and Proactive Enforcement Unit continue to target, investigate and disrupt individuals who engage in the illicit drug trade and pose a safety risk to our community,” Cpl. Steven Lang said in an emailed statement.

Anyone who has purchased pills like these can call or text 250-212-0137 or 250-869-7870 to get them tested. Drug checking is available in person from 1 p.m. to 9 a.m. Monday to Friday at Kelowna Outreach Urban Health SCS at 1649 Pandosy St.

More drug testing locations are available online here.