What are nitazenes and why are they so dangerous?

Nitazenes are a class of potent synthetic opioids that are 5-9 times stronger than fentanyl, which is already 25-50 times more potent than heroin. Less than 2 milligrams of the most common nitazene, isotonitazene, can be fatal, making them extremely dangerous and contributing to a surge in overdose deaths.

How have nitazenes impacted the opioid crisis in the United States?

Nitazenes have been linked to over 4,300 law enforcement drug seizures in the U.S. since 2019, indicating their rapid spread and growing presence in the illicit drug market. In Ohio alone, there were 77 nitazene-related overdose deaths in the first six months of 2023, a significant increase from previous years.

What is being done to address the rise of nitazenes?

In 2025, China implemented a generic ban targeting nitazene analogues, which may have a significant impact on the new synthetic opioid market. However, experts warn that we may see the appearance of other classes of synthetic opioids as a result. Ongoing efforts to detect and test for these invisible killers are crucial to addressing this evolving crisis.

Home / Health / Nitazenes: The Potent Synthetic Opioids Fueling a Deadly New Crisis

Nitazenes: The Potent Synthetic Opioids Fueling a Deadly New Crisis

17 Nov

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Summary

Nitazenes 5-9 times stronger than fentanyl, which is 25-50 times stronger than heroin
Nitazenes found in at least 4,300 law enforcement drug seizures in the U.S. since 2019
Ohio reported 77 nitazene-related overdose deaths in the first 6 months of 2023

Nitazenes: The Potent Synthetic Opioids Fueling a Deadly New Crisis

As the opioid crisis continues to devastate communities worldwide, a new and even more dangerous threat has emerged in the form of nitazenes - a class of extremely potent synthetic opioids. Since 2019, these drugs have been rapidly spreading across the globe, first in Europe and then in the United States, posing a growing public health crisis.

Nitazenes are 5 to 9 times stronger than fentanyl, which is already 25 to 50 times more potent than heroin. In fact, less than 2 milligrams of the most common nitazene, isotonitazene, can be fatal. This alarming potency has led to a surge in overdose deaths, with nitazenes being linked to at least 200 fatalities in Europe and North America between 2020 and 2021, and 93 more in 2022.