Pink cocaine powder sample from on-site drug checking, showing visible crystalline structures

Pink Cocaine: What It Contains, Health Risks & How to Reduce Uncertainty (2026)

Pink cocaine — often called Tusi or tucibi — is not cocaine. Despite its colourful appearance and misleading name, most samples sold as pink cocaine contain no cocaine at all. Instead, they are typically unpredictable mixtures of multiple drugs, sometimes including ketamine, MDMA, caffeine, methamphetamine or opioids.

Because its composition varies widely from batch to batch, pink cocaine presents significant and often underestimated health risks. Without testing, users cannot reliably know what substances — or combinations — they are consuming.

This guide brings together laboratory data, harm-reduction evidence and real-world drug-checking results to explain what pink cocaine really is, how it affects the body and brain, and how testing can reduce avoidable harm.

Author: Dr. Marina Garcia Moreno
Reviewer: Elisa Doro-Goldsmith, MChem
Published: 14th April 2025
Last updated: 24th January 2026
Reading time: ~ 6 min

quick overview

Quick Public Health Overview

  • Pink cocaine is not a defined drug, but a street label
  • Most samples do not contain cocaine or 2C-B
  • Many contain multiple active substances at once
  • Effects and risks are highly unpredictable
  • Testing is the only reliable way to know what is present
definition

What Is Pink Cocaine?

Pink cocaine is a synthetic drug mixture, typically sold as a bright pink powder or tablet. The colour is added purely for visual appeal and has no relation to purity, strength or safety.

Despite the name, pink cocaine:

  • Is not cocaine
  • Is not a new cocaine variant
  • Is not chemically consistent

Instead, it is best understood as a branding term rather than a specific substance.

There is no standard recipe. One sample may act as a stimulant, another as a dissociative or sedative, and others may combine several effects at once increasing the risk of overdose, confusion or dangerous interactions.

Two pink tablets in a plastic bag often mistaken for 2C-B but actually representing pink cocaine, a synthetic mix with no consistent ingredients
tusi and 2c-B

Is Tusi the Same as 2C-B?

No.

The confusion comes from history and pronunciation. “Tusi” is derived from how 2C-B is pronounced in Spanish (“dos-ce-be”). In the early 2010s, 2C-B was sometimes sold as a pink powder, which helped the name stick.

Today, however, most substances sold as Tusi or pink cocaine contain no 2C-B at all.

Key distinction:

  • 2C-B → a single, well-defined psychedelic compound
  • Tusi / pink cocaine → an undefined mixture of multiple substances

Assuming Tusi is 2C-B can lead to serious dosing and safety mistakes.

Pink cocaine powder in a black weigning dish, commonly mistaken for 2C-B despite its unpredictable and synthetic composition
Tusi vs 2C-B 

Tusi vs 2C-B: A Clear Comparison

FeaturePink Cocaine (Tusi)2C-B
Chemical identityVariable mixtureSingle compound
Typical contentsKetamine, MDMA, caffeine, others2C-B only
ConsistencyHighly inconsistentChemically consistent
PredictabilityLowModerate
Risk of misidentificationHighLower when tested
substances present

What Is Pink Cocaine Really Made Of?

Independent drug-checking organisations such as Energy Control (Spain) and DrugsData have analysed hundreds of pink cocaine samples.

Most frequently detected substances:

  • Ketamine
  • MDMA
  • Caffeine
  • Methamphetamine
  • Cocaine (in a minority of cases)
  • Opioids such as tramadol or oxycodone
  • Local anaesthetics (e.g. lidocaine)
  • In the vast majority of tested samples:
  • No 2C-B was detected

Ketamine was the most consistent ingredient

This variability explains why effects differ so widely between users and batches — and why untested use carries elevated risk.

Lab Results

Lab Results: What the Data Shows

Laboratory results from 2019–2024 confirm a consistent pattern:
pink cocaine is not one drug, but many.

Samples submitted under the same name often contained:

  • Multiple psychoactive compounds
  • Both stimulants and depressants
  • Unexpected opioids or synthetic additives

These findings reinforce a central harm-reduction message:
name and appearance are unreliable indicators of content.

Bar chart showing real substances found in pink cocaine samples, based on tests by DrugsData.org and Energy Control, including ketamine, MDMA, caffeine, methamphetamine and opioids.
public health concerns

Why Pink Cocaine Raises Public Health Concerns

The rise of pink cocaine presents several public health risks:

  • Unintentional poly-drug use
    Many users consume multiple drugs unknowingly in a single dose.
  • Dose uncertainty
    Strength and ratios vary widely, increasing overdose risk.
  • Effect mismatch
    Expecting stimulant effects and experiencing sedation can lead to panic, redosing or unsafe behaviour.
  • High interaction risk
    Mixing with alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines significantly increases danger.

⚠️ Key takeaway: without testing, pink cocaine use involves avoidable and unnecessary risk.

effects on the brain

How Pink Cocaine Affects the Brain

The effects of pink cocaine on the brain can vary significantly because its chemical composition is unpredictable. Each batch may include different combinations of ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine or other stimulants and depressants, all of which affect the brain in different ways. Here we focus on the most common substances found in pink cocaine. 

Cocaine QTest® kit by miraculix used to estimate cocaine concentration in powdered samples
at-home testing

Can You Test Pink Cocaine at Home?

Laboratory analysis is the most reliable option to identify what a pink cocaine sample contains. Professional drug-checking services can detect a wide range of substances and provide the clearest results.

When laboratory testing is not accessible, field-based screening tools can help reduce uncertainty. Multi-panel tests, such as the miraculix 4-Panel Drug Test, can be used to screen for the presence or absence of certain substances, for example cocaine or MDMA.

These tools do not confirm safety or purity, but they may help identify unexpected compounds and support harm-reduction decisions when no lab testing is available.

4 panel drug test - us shop

4 panel drug test - EU shop

harm reduction guidelines

Harm Reduction Guidelines for Pink Cocaine

If someone chooses to use a substance sold as Tusi:

  • Never assume what it contains
  • Test every new sample
  • Avoid mixing with alcohol or depressants
  • Start with very small amounts
  • Do not redose quickly
  • Use in the presence of trusted people

⚠️ Remember: These steps will not eliminate all risk, but they can make a major difference. The more you know about what you are taking, the better prepared you are to stay safe.

final thoughts

Final Thoughts: Pink Cocaine and Risk Awareness

Pink cocaine (tusi) is not a defined substance but a variable combination of different drugs. Because its composition can change from one sample to another, its effects are difficult to predict and may differ significantly from expectations.

Reducing uncertainty is a key aspect of harm reduction. Laboratory drug checking remains the most reliable method to identify substances accurately. When this is not available, screening approaches may help identify or exclude certain drug classes, but they cannot guarantee safety.

Informed decisions, cautious dosing and avoiding substance combinations remain essential strategies to reduce harm associated with pink cocaine.

references

References

1. J. J. Palamar, Am. J. Drug Alcohol Abuse, 2023, 49, 546–550, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2207716.

2. Usersnews.com.au, Tusi: pink cocaine or marketing myth?, https://usersnews.com.au/2023/03/14/tusi-pink-cocaine/, (accessed April 2025).

3. Energy Control, Drug Checking & Tusi Reports (2019–2022), https://energycontrol-international.org, (accessed April 2025).

4. Vice, Inside the pink cocaine trend in Colombia and beyond, https://www.vice.com/en/article/pink-cocaine-tusi-colombia-drug, (accessed April 2025).

5. DrugsData, Results for Tusi & 2C-B samples (2019–2022), https://www.drugsdata.org/results.php?search=tusi, (accessed April 2025).

FAQs

FAQs: Pink Cocaine (Tusi)

Pink cocaine (Tusi) is not a single substance, which is why information about it is often confusing or contradictory. Because its composition varies widely, questions about its contents, effects and risks are common. This FAQ section provides clear, evidence-based answers focused on composition, health risks and harm reduction, using laboratory data and public health perspectives.

Pink cocaine, also called Tusi or tucibi, is not real cocaine. It’s a synthetic party drug usually made from a mix of substances like ketamine, MDMA, caffeine or methamphetamine. Its colour and name are misleading, and its ingredients vary widely between batches.

Pink cocaine can contain a mix of substances such as ketamine, MDMA, caffeine, methamphetamine and sometimes opioids. Lab results show no standard formula. Some samples may contain real cocaine, but most do not. Testing is the only way to know what is in a specific batch.

Most pink cocaine samples do not contain any real cocaine. Lab analysis shows that ketamine and MDMA are more commonly found. To check for cocaine in a sample, you can use at-home tools like the miraculix Cocaine QTest®

Pink cocaine gets its colour from added dyes or colouring agents used to make it appear premium or attractive. The pink colour has no connection to the drug's strength, contents or safety.

Yes, pink cocaine and Tusi refer to the same street drug. Tusi is a nickname derived from how "2C-B" is pronounced in Spanish. However, modern Tusi rarely contains 2C-B and usually includes a mix of stimulants, dissociatives or sedatives.

No. Pink cocaine (Tusi) is often confused with 2C-B due to the name origin, but they are different. 2C-B is a defined psychedelic compound. Tusi, or pink cocaine, is usually a mixture of drugs like ketamine, MDMA and others, with no consistent formula or predictable effects.

You can learn more about the science and effects of 2C-B here

2C-B is a single psychedelic drug with known effects. Pink cocaine is an unpredictable mixture often containing ketamine, MDMA, caffeine or opioids. While 2C-B is chemically consistent, pink cocaine varies by region and batch. Always test pink cocaine if you want to know what’s inside.

Yes, some pink cocaine samples have tested positive for opioids like tramadol or oxycodone. Fentanyl is less common but possible. These additions increase the risk of overdose. Use testing tools like the miraculix 4-Panel Drug Test and fentanyl test strips to detect opioid presence before use.

Pink cocaine is often associated with party culture because of its colourful appearance, sweet smell and stimulant effects (when it contains MDMA or caffeine). However, the perceived glamour doesn't reflect the reality of its unpredictable composition, which can include sedatives like ketamine or even opioids.

The biggest danger of pink cocaine is not knowing what's actually in it. While cocaine has well-documented effects and risks, pink cocaine is an unpredictable mix that can include stimulants, depressants and psychedelics. This can lead to unexpected reactions, especially if combined with alcohol or other substances.

Short-term effects depend on the mix of substances in the batch. Users may experience stimulation, euphoria, confusion, dissociation or sedation. Effects can differ greatly from one use to the next, even with the same-looking powder. Testing with tools like the 4-Panel Drug Testand miraculix QTests® before use helps reduce risk.

Combining pink cocaine with alcohol increases the risk of sedation, blackouts and overdose. Many pink cocaine samples contain ketamine or opioids, which interact dangerously with alcohol. Always avoid mixing substances, especially without testing. This combination can impair judgment and breathing.

The effects on the brain vary depending on what the sample contains. Ketamine can cause dissociation, MDMA increases serotonin activity and methamphetamine overstimulates the nervous system. Mixed batches affect mood, memory and perception differently. Brain impact is unpredictable without knowing the ingredients.

Yes, overdose is possible, especially when a sample contains potent stimulants, opioids or sedatives. Because ingredients and strengths vary, users may accidentally take too much. Using quantitive testing kits like a miraculix QTest® is the best way to assess potency and reduce the risk of overdose at home. 

Effects typically last from 1 to 4 hours but depend on the substances involved. Ketamine wears off quickly, while MDMA or methamphetamine may last longer. The duration varies with dose, mixture and personal tolerance. Only testing gives clues about expected effects.

You can learn more about how long MDMA lasts here

Yes! You can use the miraculix 4-Panel Drug Test to detect substances like cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines or opioids. For deeper analysis, a miraculix QTest® can estimate how much cocaine or MDMA is present. Together, these tools provide insight into content and strength.

The miraculix 4-Panel Drug Testscreens for the presence of four major substance groups:

  • Amphetamines (incl. meth)
  • Cocaine
  • MDMA (ecstasy)
  • Opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine)

It provides fast, reliable results from a small trace sample and is ideal for initial at-home drug checking.

You can explore the miraculix Cocaine Hub, which brings together trusted, expert-reviewed guides on the chemistry of cocaine, its short- and long-term effects, and practical harm reduction advice.

disclaimer

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is aimed to inform and to educate. It does not encourage the consumption, possession or distribution of cocaine or pink cocaine in any form. Here at miraculix, we support safer, more informed decisions and wish to empower individuals to take control of their own wellbeing.

You can read more about our mission and ongoing projects here

N.B. We are not a public health authority. Key references are provided throughout this blog post and all sources used are provided below in the references section. Readers are encouraged to always refer to public health sources for up-to-date and additional guidance. 

Substance testing — whether using reagent kits or the Cocaine QTest® — cannot guarantee safety. These tools help identify red flags and reduce risks, but no test can confirm that a substance is entirely safe or pure. Always interpret results with caution and seek expert advice when needed.

Miraculix does not assume liability for any actions taken based on the use or interpretation of our products or content. Always follow your local laws and regulations.