What is cocaine actually cut with? Purity explained
Retail cocaine purity has climbed in Europe (EMCDDA reports averages near 60–70% in several countries) while US seizures vary widely. But purity is not safety — the most dangerous things in cocaine are often the cuts and adulterants, and occasionally fentanyl itself.
The usual suspects found by drug checking
| Adulterant | Why it's there | The risk |
|---|---|---|
| Levamisole (vet wormer) | Bulks powder, mimics stimulant feel | Immune suppression; severe skin necrosis |
| Phenacetin / paracetamol / caffeine | Cheap bulk, numbing effect | Kidney damage (phenacetin); liver stress |
| Boric acid / benzocaine | Mimics shine & numbing | Seizures at high dose; methemoglobinemia |
| Mannitol, lactose, glucose | Inert bulk | Low risk by themselves |
| Fentanyl (rare, deadly) | Cross-contamination at packaging | Opioid overdose in a non-tolerant user |
Why 'stronger' cocaine sends more people to hospital
When purity jumps from 30% to 70% without the user knowing, the same 'two lines' is more than double the dose. Drug-checking services report that most cocaine hospitalizations track unexpected potency, not new drugs.
Harm reduction if you useStart with a quarter of your usual amount when the source changes. Never mix with alcohol (forms cocaethylene — extra cardiotoxic) or opioids. If someone collapses with slow breathing after cocaine: give naloxone — it may be fentanyl contamination.
“Cocaine-related deaths in England & Wales hit record levels in recent ONS releases — most involve cocaine plus opioids or alcohol together, not cocaine alone.”
— ONS / EMCDDA trend reporting