Etomidate, a medication used to induce general anaesthesia, has been detected in vapes sold under names like space oil, k-pods, space vapes, or eto. Photo: AFP/ ANP MAG - Koen van Weel
People are being hospitalised after an anaesthetic drug was found in illegal vapes across New Zealand.
Etomidate, a medication used to induce general anaesthesia, has been detected in illicit vapes sold under names like space oil, k-pods, space vapes, or eto.
High Alert, New Zealand's early warning system for dangerous drugs, issued a warning on Tuesday, saying the laced vapes pods have been linked to instances of acute drug harm, including a small number of hospitalisations.
High Alert said it has heard reports of people experiencing seizures or significant hypoglycaemia (low blood sugars) after consuming the drug.
Etomidate can cause involuntary muscle jerking or twitching, loss of coordination, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, breathing difficulties, or hyperventilation, low blood pressure, low heart rate, nausea or vomiting and loss of consciousness.
Illicitly vapes containing etomidate were first identified by New Zealand drug checking services in January 2025.
Since then, it has been seized at the boarder by Customs and has increasingly been found at drug checking clinics across the country.
"Etomidate is a concerning substance when vapes, so it is a worry," NZ Drug Foundation director Sarah Helm said.
"Generally, the risk of overdose is there partly because it wears of quickly, so people might be inclined to take more. It [also] is very hard to measure, particularly if people don't realise that's what they're taking."
Helm said Etomidate has been detected in about one dozen vapes at their drug checking clinic.
"Some of the negative symptoms that might occur are tremors, seizures, loss of consciousness. At that point, you should be calling 111 and seeking help."
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