Beware of New, Powerful Opioids Called Nitazenes

When it comes to substance abuse and addiction, the search for a greater high often leads to new and even more dangerous drugs.  One such group of illicit drug gaining attention from law enforcement and public health officials in recent times is nitazenes, a class of opioids with potent effects and concerning impacts such as a high potential for drug overdoses and overdose death.

What Are Nitazenes?

Nitazenes, also known as isotonitazene or “ISO,” are a group of lab-made opioids that were developed in the 1950s by pharmaceutical companies. Initially studied as an alternative to morphine for pain relief, Nitazenes belong to the benzimidazole family of compounds. They are structurally different than opioids but share similar properties. Despite its promising chemical makeup, nitazenes were never approved for medical use. The risk of overdose and addiction was just too great.

Much like other street drugs, there is still no approved medical use for nitazenes. Drug manufacturers overseas re-introduced the drug to the illicit market, and the first detections in the U.S. occurred in 2019. Unfortunately, their introduction into the drug market has been linked to a concerning number of drug overdose deaths.

Nitazenes are sold in various forms, including white or brown/yellow powder and illegally manufactured pills. They can be taken in several ways, with injections being the most common. However, they can also be ingested through other routes, such as smoking or snorting. The availability of nitazenes in different forms contributes to their widespread misuse and the associated risks of overdose and addiction.

Are Nitazenes Dangerous?

Nitazenes are extremely dangerous to individuals who misuse them, posing a heightened risk of addiction and poor health effects. Overdosing on nitazenes is a grave concern due to their potency. Compared to other opioids, nitazenes are some of the most potent, making them particularly unsafe substances.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), nitazenes can be up to 10 times as potent as fentanyl, a synthetic opioid approximately 50 times more potent than heroin. This extreme potency means that even small amounts of nitazenes can lead to life-threatening breathing problems, coma, and death. Additionally, the questionable purity and dosage of illegally manufactured nitazene products further increase the risk of unintentional drug overdose.

The effects of nitazenes also present both short-term and long-term health hazards. In the short term, misuse of nitazenes can lead to breathing issues like respiratory depression, sedation, and impaired thinking. This increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Chronic use of nitazenes can lead to physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms when stopping, and disruptions to overall health and well-being.

Prolonged opioid use is associated with a range of health issues, including cardiovascular complications, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal problems, hormonal imbalances, and neurological damage. Moreover, opioid addiction often leads to social and economic consequences, including strained relationships, loss of employment, financial instability, and involvement in criminal activities.

The exceptional potency of nitazenes, coupled with their addictive nature and associated health risks, underscores the significant danger they pose to individuals and communities. Understanding these risks is crucial for implementing effective prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies to address the devastating impact of nitazene misuse and addiction.