BANGKOK, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Department of Medical Sciences on Tuesday issued a warning to e-cigarette users after finding methamphetamine and the anesthetic etomidate mixed together in seized vape liquid, the first such detection by the department.
The department's Bureau of Drug and Narcotic received seized pod cartridges containing a clear orange liquid in June. Analysis found methamphetamine hydrochloride at 3.56 percent purity alongside etomidate, a Category 2 psychotropic substance under Thai law, already being illicitly added to vape liquids sold as "K-Pods" or "zombie vapes."
In a statement, Sarawut Boonsuk, director-general of the department, warned that inhaling the two drugs together can be rapidly fatal.
Sarawut said etomidate suppresses breathing and brain function and can cause unconsciousness, while methamphetamine stimulates the nervous system and heart, raising the risk of arrhythmia and sudden cardiac arrest.
The department said it has reported the findings to relevant agencies to support monitoring of emerging drug trends and protect public health and safety. ■