The compound has a similar chemical structure to ketamine and has been classified as a controlled substance following an upswing in abuse
Tiletamine has a chemical structure similar to ketamine, commonly known as “K powder”, and it was mainly used for surgical anaesthesia in pets such as cats and dogs.
Since it had not previously been included on the drug list, it quickly became popular in China, especially in entertainment venues such as billiard halls, discos, nightclubs and bars.
“From November 2025 to early January 2026, in the city of Shenyang alone, 1,605 individuals were investigated and educated for the abuse of tiletamine,” a paper published in the fifth issue of the 2026 Policing Studies in Chinese said.
