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Diphenhydramine sold as cocaine
Risk assessment
This sample, declared as cocaine, does not contain cocaine, but rather the drug diphenhydramine.
Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine (allergy medication) with a sedative effect that is also used as a sleep aid and tranquilizer. Usual therapeutic doses are 25-50 mg. Diphenhydramine has a calming effect and lasts for about 4-8 hours. At doses of around 200 mg or more, diphenhydramine can cause severe side effects such as confusion, uncontrolled body movements, dry mouth, and rapid heartbeat.
If confused with cocaine, there is a risk that users will assume they are taking cocaine doses and take correspondingly high doses if the expected stimulating effect does not occur. While cocaine has a stimulating effect, diphenhydramine causes sedation. Taking several hundred milligrams carries a significant risk of severe side effects such as potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and/or disturbances of consciousness. The long duration of action of diphenhydramine (4-8 hours) differs significantly from cocaine and can lead to unexpected long-term effects.
Diphenhydramine was probably sold as cocaine solely to maximize profits. Like cocaine, diphenhydramine has a slight numbing effect on the skin and mucous membranes, thus masquerading as pure cocaine. Powder and crystalline samples are often mislabeled, so it is essential to have them tested before consumption!
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Safer Use
Analysis
Have your substances tested in a Drug Checking
Testing
If you do not have the possibility to have substances analysed, always test a small amount to avoid overdoses.
Wait and see
Wait 2 hours after oral intake, as there are always powders / crystals in circulation with unexpected active ingredients, which can have a later onset of action.
Utensils
When snorting or injecting powders, always use your own equipment to avoid infecting yourself or others with diseases.
Disclaimer
If you are in possession of a substance that does not appear on this page, this in no way means that it contains the expected ingredient or that it should be safe. The warnings we publish only refer to the substances listed in our Drug Checking offers, these substances pose a high risk of consumption and should not be consumed. A substance may have the same visual appearance (shape, size, colour, etc.) and yet have different ingredients or a different composition. There is no drug use without risk! Only a complete renunciation of drugs is risk-free! If you still decide to use drugs, you should at least follow the safer use rules.
