The DIZ publishes quarterly evaluations of cocaine samples tested at the DIZ and during mobile operations. This supplements the annual evaluations and raises 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 adulterants poses an additional health risk that is difficult to assess, especially for regular users. These are less often acute side effects and more primarily long-term consequences. The higher the cocaine content, the greater the risk of overdose. High doses of cocaine can also place a heavy strain on the cardiovascular system and, under certain circumstances and physical conditions, can trigger a heart attack or stroke. Information and recommendations for low-risk consumption can be found here.
Recommendations for low-risk consumption are here
- In the fourth quarter of 2025, 425 samples declared as cocaine were submitted for analysis at the Drug Information Center (DIZ), during mobile operations at contact and drop-in centers in the city of Zurich, and during two mobile drug checkings in nightlife venues. 393 of 425 samples (92.5%) contained no psychoactive ingredients other than cocaine. 28 of 425 samples (6.6%) contained cocaine and at least one other unexpected psychoactive ingredient. 4 of 425 samples (0.9%) contained no cocaine.
- The average cocaine content of the samples analyzed in the fourth quarter was 88.8% (only the 420 samples that contained cocaine and for which the content could be quantified were used for this calculation). This represents an increase in the average content compared to the third quarter (+2.7%). The cocaine content of the samples analyzed varied greatly, ranging from 28.7% to 100%.
- In the fourth quarter of 2025, 6.6% of the cocaine samples analyzed were cut with at least one pharmacologically active substance or contained another psychoactive substance. This represents a further significant decrease in the proportion of unexpected ingredients compared to the third quarter. Compared to the third quarter, 5.1% fewer cocaine samples were found to contain other psychoactive ingredients.
- Four samples were found to be mislabeled: instead of cocaine, other substances were detected, including caffeine, lidocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and 2-MMC. The most common adulterants in the fourth quarter of 2025 were procaine, caffeine, and levamisole.
- Nine of 425 samples (2.1% of all cocaine samples in Q4) contained procaine, with an average procaine content of 9.5%. The percentage of samples containing procaine has continued to decline since the third quarter (from 3.4% to 2.1%). The average procaine content has also fallen (from 15.1% to 9.5%). Procaine is a local anesthetic agent from the group of local anesthetics used in medicine. In addition to side effects affecting the central nervous system (e.g., restlessness, seizures, coma), high doses of procaine can in rare cases also cause cardiac arrhythmia, a drop in blood pressure, and allergic reactions. The intravenous use of cocaine laced with procaine is particularly risky.
- Nine of 425 samples (2.1% of all cocaine samples in Q4) contained caffeine, with an average content of 19.7%. This means that a similar number of samples contained caffeine as in the third quarter (3.4%), but the average content has risen significantly (from 8.3% to 19.7%). Caffeine makes you alert, accelerates your heartbeat, temporarily increases mental performance, and suppresses your appetite. Caffeine is probably used as a cutting agent because of its stimulating effect and its potential to enhance the effects of other substances.
- 6 of 425 samples (1.4% of all cocaine samples in Q4) contained levamisole, with an average content of 9.0%. Levamisole is an immunosuppressant and was previously used as a dewormer. It can cause serious side effects and is considered a particularly problematic cutting agent in cocaine samples.
- Three out of 425 samples (0.7% of all cocaine samples in Q4) contained phenacetin, with an average content of 10.9%. The percentage of samples containing phenacetin has fallen sharply since the third quarter (from 2.6% to 0.7%). Phenacetin is an aminophenol derivative and was used as a medicine for pain relief and fever reduction. Frequent, high-dose consumption of phenacetin can cause kidney damage ("phenacetin kidney").
- In addition, there were individual samples that contained other unexpected substances. These were mainly other known psychoactive substances (e.g., amphetamine, ketamine). Amphetamine was found in 3 of 425 samples (0.7%), and ketamine in 3 of 425 samples (0.7%). However, in some cases, these substances were only detected in very low quantities in the samples, which suggests that these substances are probably contaminants in the containers/mini-grips.
Detailed information about cocaine, cutting agents, and safer use tips can be found on our website.
