Pink Cocaine (Tusi) in 2026: What’s Really in It and Why It’s Dangerous

Pink cocaine is usually not cocaine. It is a variable mixture of drugs that may cause unpredictable and potentially life-threatening effects.

Also called tusi, tuci, or tucibi, this brightly colored powder may contain ketamine, MDMA, stimulants, or other substances. No consistent formula exists, and appearance cannot establish its ingredients.

For Kentucky families, recognizing overdose warning signs and understanding when to seek treatment are more useful than relying on a street name.

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On This Page

What Is Pink Cocaine, Also Called Tusi?
What’s Actually in Pink Cocaine?
Why Pink Cocaine Is Dangerous
Signs of a Pink Cocaine Overdose
Is Pink Cocaine the Same as Cocaine or 2C-B?
Is Pink Cocaine Appearing in Kentucky?
How Drug Mixtures Affect Addiction Treatment
What Families Can Do
Addiction Treatment Options in Kentucky
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Pink Cocaine, Also Called Tusi?

Pink cocaine is a street-marketed powder, often dyed pink, whose ingredients vary from batch to batch. The name tusi originally referred to the psychedelic 2C-B, but current mixtures often contain neither 2C-B nor cocaine.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration describes the unpredictable composition of pink cocaine. Color, smell, packaging, and a seller’s description are not reliable ways to identify what is inside.

The name is misleading

Many products sold as pink cocaine do not contain cocaine.

No standard recipe

Two samples that look alike can contain entirely different combinations of drugs.

What’s Actually in Pink Cocaine?

Testing has identified a range of substances in products sold as pink cocaine. These are possible ingredients, not a formula:

Ketamine

A dissociative anesthetic that can affect awareness, coordination, memory, and perception. Combining it with depressants can increase danger.

MDMA

A psychoactive stimulant that can increase body temperature, heart rate, and the risk of serious medical complications.

Methamphetamine and other stimulants

Some samples contain stimulants that can contribute to agitation, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular emergencies.

Fentanyl and other opioids

Some pink powders have contained opioids. Fentanyl is not present in every sample, but unexpected exposure can cause fatal respiratory depression.

Other substances

Additional psychoactive drugs, medications, and adulterants have been identified in tested mixtures.

A forensic toxicology case series illustrates why assumptions about ingredients are unsafe.

Why Pink Cocaine Is Dangerous

Because pink cocaine can combine drugs with different effects, intoxication and overdose may be difficult to predict. Potential complications include:

Sedation and breathing problems

Depressants or opioids may impair consciousness and breathing.

Heart and circulation risks

Stimulants may increase heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiovascular strain.

Overheating

MDMA and other stimulants can contribute to dangerous increases in body temperature.

Confusion and injury

Dissociation, agitation, or altered perception may increase accident risk.

Repeated exposure to substances in these mixtures can also contribute to substance use disorders. See this research review of tusi for more background.

Signs of a Pink Cocaine Overdose

Call 911 immediately if an overdose is suspected. Warning signs can include:

Slow, irregular, or absent breathing
Unresponsiveness or inability to wake someone
Seizures, chest pain, or severe agitation
Very high body temperature
Blue or gray lips
Repeated vomiting with reduced awareness

Follow emergency dispatcher instructions. If an opioid may be involved, give naloxone if available. Naloxone reverses opioid effects but does not reverse ketamine, MDMA, or other non-opioid drugs. Emergency medical evaluation remains necessary even if the person improves.

Is Pink Cocaine the Same as Cocaine or 2C-B?

The names are not interchangeable chemically:

Cocaine

A specific stimulant drug.

2C-B

A specific synthetic psychedelic substance.

Pink cocaine / tusi

A street-marketed mixture with no consistent chemical identity.

A product sold as tusi may contain cocaine or 2C-B, but many tested samples contain neither.

Is Pink Cocaine Appearing in Kentucky?

Pink cocaine has been identified in the United States, but national reports do not establish how common it currently is in Kentucky. It would be inaccurate to claim a statewide outbreak without Kentucky-specific surveillance evidence.

For local drug-trend information, consult the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. The absence of widespread local news coverage does not establish that a substance is absent from a community.

How Drug Mixtures Affect Addiction Treatment

When someone has used a substance with unknown ingredients, clinicians may need to assess several possible exposures rather than assume a single drug. There is no universal “pink cocaine detox” protocol.

Substance and medical history

Review recent use, possible mixed exposure, medications, withdrawal symptoms, and medical stability.

Mental health assessment

Consider anxiety, mood changes, sleep disturbance, and other co-occurring concerns.

Withdrawal management

Determine whether supervised medical care is indicated based on actual symptoms and risks.

Continuing treatment

Plan evidence-based addiction treatment and recovery support according to individual needs.

What Families Can Do

A powder’s appearance cannot establish what a person has taken. Focus on immediate safety and symptoms rather than trying to identify a substance by color.

Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty, seizures, unresponsiveness, or other severe symptoms.
When there is no emergency, approach the person calmly and ask about health and safety concerns.
Encourage professional assessment without assuming that every change in behavior proves use of a specific drug.

KRC also has a resource on helping a loved one with addiction.

Addiction Treatment Options in Kentucky

Someone who has been using pink cocaine or other unpredictable mixtures may need a comprehensive clinical assessment. Care may involve withdrawal management when indicated, residential treatment, behavioral therapies, treatment for specific substance use disorders, and continuing recovery support.

At Kentucky Recovery Center in Franklin, Kentucky, admissions can explain the assessment process, available services, and insurance verification. Learn about medical detox and drug rehabilitation.

Clinical needs, not a street drug label, determine appropriate treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does pink cocaine actually contain cocaine?

Not necessarily. Many samples contain other substances, including ketamine and MDMA. Ingredients vary.

Is pink cocaine the same as tusi?

The terms are commonly used interchangeably for an inconsistent street-marketed mixture.

Can pink cocaine contain fentanyl?

Yes, some samples have contained fentanyl, but not all. Appearance alone cannot determine the ingredients.

Can pink cocaine cause an overdose?

Yes. Mixtures may affect breathing, heart function, body temperature, and consciousness.

Can naloxone reverse a pink cocaine overdose?

Naloxone can reverse opioid effects, such as those of fentanyl, but not non-opioid effects. Call 911.

Is pink cocaine common in Kentucky?

The available national reports do not establish its current prevalence in Kentucky.

Is addiction treatment available for someone using pink cocaine?

Yes. A clinical assessment can help determine medical risks and appropriate treatment options.

Concerned About Drug Use? Talk With Kentucky Recovery Center

Unpredictable drug mixtures create additional risks. Kentucky Recovery Center admissions can discuss treatment options, assessment, and insurance verification in Franklin, Kentucky.

If someone is experiencing a suspected overdose or other medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

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