Counterfeit drugs that look like PEZ candies circulating in Montreal, public health says

A photo of a tablet containing etizolam and the letters PEZ was published in a warning on Montreal Public Health's website on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (Montreal Public Health)

The circulation of pink tablets that look like the PEZ candy and contain etizolam are circulating in Montreal, prompting a warning from the city’s public health department.

“Users may be unwittingly exposed to the risk of overdose. These tablets look similar to ‘PEZ’ candies, which are popular with children,” reads a warning from Montreal Public Health issued on Friday.

Etizolam, which is similar to benzodiazepines like Valium, is a drug not sold in Canada and is commonly found in counterfeit drugs. They are associated with sedation, loss of balance, dizziness, and confusion.

The Montreal Public Health Department said similar tablets containing etizolam — and cocaine in one case — circulated in several parts of Quebec in 2020 and were linked to overdoses, which can lead to unconsciousness, little or no response to noise or pain, or breathing difficulties.

“There is a risk of respiratory distress, particularly when combined with other substances. This reinforces the importance of not using alone and of having companions who have naloxone and know how to use it,” public health stated.

“Prevent these tablets from ending up in the hands of people (children and adults) who might mistake them for candy.”

Public health says people should take steps to prevent an overdose:

• Reduce the dose of a drug to test its effects;
• Use drug-checking services;
• Avoid using alone (or notify someone and stay in contact while taking the substance, ex : National Overdose Response Service (NORS) 1-888-688-6677 or
• Accompagnement à distance en prévention des surdoses (ADPS): 1-800-265-2626 option 2);
• Have naloxone nearby in large enough quantities and know how to use it in case of an overdose. Don’t hesitate to use it (not dangerous even if it isn’t necessary);
• Use supervised consumption services;
• When using with other people, don’t all use at the same time;
• Avoid using multiple substances at the same time.

People should call 911 if there is an overdose.