Nitazenes are exceptionally potent synthetic opioids that have recently emerged as a threat to public health across all continents, from Europe to North America and beyond.
While the effects of these drugs, colloquially known as Frankenstein opioids, are still being studied, one thing is for sure: nitazenes are even more dangerous—and deadly—than fentanyl.
This article will shed more light on nitazene drugs, covering their origins, potency, side effects, risks, and more.
What Is Nitazene?
Nitazenes are a group of extremely potent synthetic opioids belonging to the benzimidazole structural class. Also known as benzimidazole opioids and Novel Synthetic Opioid (NSO), nitazenes produce similar effects to other opioids, such as pain relief and euphoria, but can be hundreds of times more potent.
Some examples of nitazene drugs include:
- Etonitazene
- Isotonitazene
- Metonitazene
- Protonitazene
- N-desethyl etonitazene
Nitazenes come as a powder (white or brown/yellow) or crystalline solid. They can be inhaled, injected, or swallowed. They are often found in illicit oxycodone tablets or mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, MDMA, and ketamine.
This makes street drugs even more dangerous, as you may unknowingly buy a substance cut with nitazenes. Given that these benzimidazole opioids can be even more potent than fentanyl, even the tiniest amount could cause a potentially life-threatening overdose.
When and How Were Nitazenes Developed?
Nitazenes were developed between the 1950s and 1970s by CIBA Aktiengesellschaft in Switzerland.
Although the idea was to create an opioid analgesic similar to morphine, nitazenes were found to cause severe side effects and opioid dependence. As such, they were never approved for medical use or known well outside laboratories.
Nitazenes have made their way to the streets in recent years. Isotonitazene was the first nitazene reported to the UNODC Early Warning Advisory on New Psychoactive Substances (EWA). Since then, nitazenes have emerged as drugs of abuse across the world.
Nitazenes vs. Other Opioids
Here’s how nitazenes compare to other opioids in terms of potency:
- Nitazene vs. heroin. Certain types of nitazenes can be up to 500 times more potent than heroin.
- Nitazene vs. fentanyl. Most nitazenes are tens of times as powerful as fentanyl. For example, etonitazene and its metabolite—N-desethyl etonitazene—are about 10 times stronger than fentanyl, whereas N-pyrrolidino protonitazene is roughly 25 times more potent.
- Nitazene vs. morphine. Some nitazenes are upwards of 800 times more potent than morphine.
That said, the potency of nitazenes may vary widely depending on the specific type. While some may be comparable to morphine, others are far more potent than fentanyl, the most potent opioid approved for clinical use.
Risks and Dangers of Using Nitazenes
The key risks and dangers of using nitazenes include severe adverse effects, opioid dependence and addiction, overdose, and death. Given that not much is currently known about nitazenes, except that they are often found in other illicit drugs, taking them—or buying street drugs—is a gamble that may cost you your life.
Nitazenes are exceptionally potent, which means they may cause severe side effects, such as respiratory depression, at a much lower dose than traditional opioids like hydrocodone.
Their potency also increases the risk of opioid dependence, which is why numerous nitazenes are internationally controlled. In the United States, they generally fall under Schedule I controlled substances because of their high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.
Notably, the full scope of the dangers of nitazenes hasn’t been defined yet, as these opioids are new to the public—even though they were developed decades ago.
Side Effects of Nitazenes
The most common side effects of nitazenes include:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Itchy skin
- Sweating
- Drowsiness
- Slowed breathing
- Decreased heart rate
The side effects of nitazenes may range from mild to potentially life-threatening, depending on the amount taken, the potency of the specific nitazene, and other factors. Polydrug abuse, i.e., mixing nitazenes with other drugs, including opioids, may increase the likelihood of severe adverse reactions.
The short- and long-term effects of nitazenes aren’t fully understood yet due to the lack of scientific research. These drugs may cause unexpected side effects, some of which may have lifelong or fatal consequences.
Nonetheless, nitazenes likely expose users to similar risks as other opioids since they work in much the same way despite their structural differences. They bind to opioid receptors, producing analgesic effects and triggering a surge of dopamine, which induces feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Nitazenes tend to have a rapid onset of action, but their effects tend to be short-lived.
Possible long-term effects of nitazenes include:
- Tolerance
- Opioid dependence
- Opioid use disorder (OUD)
- Respiratory depression
- Opioid overdose
- Organ damage
- Constipation
- Death
Can You Overdose on Nitazenes?
You can easily overdose on nitazenes, and naloxone is the only medication that can save your life in this case. Administering it promptly is of vital importance, as nitazenes may cause respiratory arrest even faster than other opioids. Due to their unmatched potency, a single dose of naloxone may not be enough to reverse a nitazene overdose.
Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know is displaying the signs of a nitazene overdose, such as:
- Confusion
- Pinpoint pupils
- Severe drowsiness
- Slowed, shallow breathing
- Skin and nail discoloration
- Difficulty walking or talking
- Loss of consciousness
Ten nitazene-involved deaths were reported in 2020, most of which were attributed to isotonitazene. This number more than quadrupled just a year later; 42 people lost their lives to a nitazene overdose in 2021, mostly caused by metonitazene. All of these deaths involved multiple substances, highlighting the dangers of both nitazene and polysubstance abuse.
As illicit substances, nitazenes are extremely dangerous. Since these drugs are unregulated and their potency and purity may vary widely, there’s no amount you can safely ingest.
Nitazene Dependency vs. Nitazene Addiction
Nitazene dependency and nitazene addiction are among the greatest risks anyone taking benzimidazole opioids is exposed to.
Contrary to popular belief, opioid dependence and opioid addiction aren’t the same; dependence refers to physical reliance on the drug, whereas addiction is predominantly psychological.
Taking nitazenes, especially repeatedly, causes the brain to cease natural endorphin production and create more and more opioid receptors. This leads to tolerance, which is the first sign of nitazene dependency. As tolerance increases, your body will require larger amounts of nitazenes to feel their effects.
Furthermore, people dependent on nitazenes can’t function normally without them, as they experience uncomfortable opioid withdrawal symptoms once these drugs leave their system. This can make quitting nitazenes, and even cutting back on them, virtually impossible.
Nitazene Withdrawal Symptoms
Nitazene withdrawal symptoms occur when people attempt to quit this drug after developing physical dependence. They may be both physical and psychological and resemble severe opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Common nitazene withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Fainting
- Shaking
- Cravings
- Body aches
- Panic attacks
- Restless legs
- Lightheadedness
- Increased sweating
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Flu-like symptoms: fever, runny nose, etc.
Given the novelty of nitazenes, there’s limited knowledge about their withdrawal timeline. The onset and duration of withdrawal symptoms may also depend on the specific drug, method of administration, and extent of nitazene use.
Quitting nitazenes “cold turkey” or without medical assistance can be very dangerous due to the risk of health complications, such as extreme dehydration and relapse. Since periods of opioid abstinence reduce tolerance, even your usual dose can be potent enough to cause a potentially fatal overdose.
It’s in your best interest to seek professional opioid addiction treatment to get off nitazenes safely.
ANR Treatment for Opioid Dependence
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an ultra-modern opioid dependence treatment that supports long-lasting recovery by restoring the brain to its pre-addiction state. With an average hospital stay of just 36 hours, it can help you break the chains of opioid dependence within a matter of days.
ANR has a very high success rate; it has helped nearly 25,000 people worldwide swiftly and effectively overcome opioid dependence. The secret behind its success lies in the fact that ANR is the first and only treatment specifically designed to address the root cause of opioid dependence.
The ANR treatment works by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system while the patient is sedated. Since it reverses the neurochemical imbalance caused by repeated opioid exposure, ANR eradicates opioid dependence together with cravings, negating the risk of relapse.
Most importantly, ANR is scientifically proven to be safe. The treatment is only performed by highly experienced and compassionate board-certified healthcare professionals in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals with access to state-of-the-art medical equipment.
Moreover, ANR is tailored to each patient’s medical history and needs, making it suitable even for those with co-occurring health conditions.
To get started with ANR, contact us today for a free, 100% confidential consultation!
Key Takeaways
The bottom line is that taking nitazenes at any dose puts your well-being on the line; the fact that these drugs are internationally controlled and have never been approved for medical use is a testament to their perilousness.
Let’s go over the key points we covered today:
- Nitazenes, or benzimidazole opioids, are synthetic opioids that were originally developed as analgesics.
- Using nitazenes—especially together with other substances—exposes you to the risk of severe adverse reactions, dependence, addiction, overdose, and death.
- Nitazenes inhibit the production of endorphins while stimulating that of opioid receptors, leading to tolerance,physical dependence, and addiction.
- ANR is a groundbreaking treatment that reverses opioid dependence through endorphin-receptor re-regulation.
Nitazene FAQ
Nitazenes are illegal in most countries. In the United States, several nitazenes, such as etonitazene, isotonitazene, metonitazene, and clonitazene, are treated as Schedule I controlled substances. In other words, they have a very high potential for abuse and have no medical uses.
Nitazenes are extremely dangerous due to their exceptional potency; given that these drugs are even more potent than fentanyl, even a minuscule amount can be deadly. Moreover, nitazene drugs are manufactured and sold illegally; their potency and purity aren’t regulated, which further increases the risk of side effects, dependence, overdose, and death.
Nitazenes are stronger than fentanyl. While some may be of similar potency, most nitazenes are upwards of ten times more potent than fentanyl, which itself is around 100 times more powerful than morphine.
Nitazenes look like white, yellow, or brown powders. They are also sold in the form of crystalline solid or mixed in with counterfeit pills or other illicit drugs, such as fentanyl, heroin, MDMA, cocaine, and ketamine.
Nitazenes are not benzodiazepines; they are synthetic opioids of the benzimidazole class. However, illicit benzodiazepines may be cut with nitazenes. Polysubstance abuse, including mixing nitazenes and benzodiazepines, considerably increases the risk of respiratory depression, overdose, and death.
