Victorian health authorities have warned that a dangerous drug that can lead to death has been found inside MDMA being distributed around Melbourne.

Para-Methoxymethamphetamine, also known as PMMA or ‘Dr Death’, is a stimulant with mild hallucinogenic properties and has been found disguised in MDMA as crushed yellow crystals.

In an alert on Friday morning, Victoria’s health department said PMMA can produce a similar effect to MDMA but “is more toxic, less euphoric, and takes longer to have an effect” and can be very potent in small doses.

“Be very cautious about any substance with a yellow colour/tinge that’s sold as MDMA – it may contain PMMA,” VicHealth said in a statement.

“PMMA and the related drug PMA have been associated with a substantial number of hospitalisations and deaths worldwide, often involving both PMMA/PMA and MDMA.”

The drug can lead to a dangerously high body temperature, severe shortness of breath, cardiac arrest, convulsions, sudden collapse, organ failure and death.

At low doses, PMMA can be mistaken for MDMA, but it takes longer than MDMA to have an effect, which leads to people taking more doses and can end in an overdose.

“If you have an unexpected or delayed reaction to a drug, do not take more,” Vic Health said.

Anyone who experiences adverse drug effects or notices someone reacting unexpectedly is urged to call 000 immediately.