Speedball (drug)

"Speedball"

Cocaine powder

Heroin powder

Speedball, powerball, or over and under^[1] is the polydrug mixture of a stimulant with a depressant, usually an opioid. The most well-known mixture used for recreational drug use is that of cocaine and heroin; however, amphetamines can also be mixed with morphine and/or fentanyl. A speedball may be taken intravenously or by nasal insufflation.^[2]

Speedballs often give stronger effects than either drug when taken alone due to drug synergy, and are a particularly hazardous mixture that can easily cause heart attack, respiratory arrest and death.^[3] When compared to single drugs, speedballs are more likely to lead to addiction,^[4][5] and users are more likely to relapse^[4][6] and also to overdose.^[7][8][9]