‘Zombie vapes’: PDEA warns public vs etomidate-laced vaping products
PDEA warns against vaping products laced with etomidate, an anesthetic that poses serious health risks when used recreationally.Summary
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has issued a warning about vaping products containing etomidate, a short-acting intravenous anesthetic that has been detected in locally seized vape products. Etomidate is a legitimate medical anesthetic used in hospitals, but using it outside medical supervision can cause rapid sedation, hypnosis, loss of consciousness, and potentially dangerous effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. These products are marketed under street names such as "space oil," "zombie vapes," and "Kpods," and have also been found in tablet, powder, and crystal forms. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez emphasized that etomidate is not intended for recreational use. The agency noted that several jurisdictions, including Singapore, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, have implemented control measures in response to non-medical use of etomidate. The public is urged not to experiment with, share, or assume the safety of suspicious vaping products, to report such products to authorities, and to seek immediate medical attention if unusual symptoms occur after use.
(Source：Inquirer)
