The DIZ publishes quarterly evaluations of the cocaine samples tested at the DIZ and at mobile operations. This is in addition to the annual evaluations and to raise awareness of the specific risks associated with cocaine use. The results published here are not representative of the entire substance market in the city of Zurich.
Cocaine is a substance with a comparatively high potential for harm and addiction. In addition to the known risks, the frequent occurrence of pharmacologically active extenders poses an additional health risk that is difficult to assess, especially for regular users. These are rarely acute side effects, but primarily long-term consequences. The higher the cocaine content, the greater the risk of overdose. High doses of cocaine can also place a heavy burden on the cardiovascular system and, under certain circumstances and physical conditions, trigger a heart attack or stroke. Information and recommendations for low-risk consumption can be found here.
- In the third quarter of 2025, 410 samples declared as cocaine were handed in for analysis at the Drug Information Center (DIZ) and at two mobile drug checkings. 362 samples did not contain any other psychoactive substance besides cocaine. 42 samples contained cocaine and at least one other unexpected psychoactive ingredient. 6 samples contained no cocaine.
- The average cocaine content of the samples analyzed in the second quarter was 86.1 % (only the 404 samples that also contained cocaine were used for this calculation). This corresponds to a similar content as in the previous quarter; compared to the previous year 2024, this corresponds to a slight increase in the average content (+4.3 %). The cocaine content of the samples tested varied greatly, ranging from 12.1 % to 100 %.
- In the third quarter of 2025, 11.7 % of the cocaine samples analyzed were laced with at least one pharmacologically active substance or contained another psychoactive substance. As in the second quarter, the proportion of unexpected ingredients remains very low compared to previous years.
Compared to the second quarter, a further 8.1 % fewer cocaine samples were found to contain such extenders.
- Six of the samples were false declarations: Instead of cocaine, other substances were detected - either pharmacologically active substances such as procaine and paracetamol, or psychoactive substances such as methylphenidate and ketamine. No narcotics could be detected in one sample.
- The most common extenders in the third quarter of 2025 are procaine, caffeine and phenacetin.
14 samples (3.4% of all cocaine samples) contained procaine, the average content was 15.1 %. The percentage of samples containing procaine has been declining since last year, and this trend was also observed in the third quarter of 2025. In 2024, procaine was the most common unexpected psychoactive substance in cocaine samples; this is now back to levamisole. Procaine is a local anaesthetic substance from the group of local anaesthetics used in medicine. In addition to side effects in the central nervous system (e.g. restlessness, seizures, coma), in rare cases high doses of procaine can also cause cardiac arrhythmia, a drop in blood pressure and allergic reactions. The intravenous consumption of cocaine laced with procaine is particularly risky.
14 samples (3.4% of all cocaine samples) contained caffeine, the average content was 8.3%. This means that fewer samples contained caffeine compared to 2024. Caffeine makes you alert, speeds up the heartbeat, temporarily increases mental performance and has an appetite suppressant effect. Caffeine is used as an extender due to its stimulating effect and its effect-enhancing potential. - 11 samples (2.6% of all cocaine samples) contained phenacetin, the average content was 12.9%. The percentage of samples containing phenacetin has been declining since last year, and this trend was also observed in the third quarter of 2025. In 2024, phenacetin was present in 5.1 % of all cocaine samples. Phenacetin is an aminophenol derivative and was used as a drug to treat pain and reduce fever. As phenacetin is harmful to the kidneys ("phenacetin kidney") and increases the risk of ureteral and bladder cancer with frequent, high-dose consumption, it has not been used medically in Europe for around 40 years. In high doses, phenacetin can trigger excitement and euphoria as well as lead to slight drowsiness and dampened perception and is therefore presumably used as an extender.
- In addition, there were individual samples that contained other unexpected substances. These were mainly known extenders (e.g. levamisole, paracetamol) or other known psychoactive substances (e.g. amphetamine)
Detailed information on cocaine, extenders and SaferUse instructions can be found on our website.
