You might have recently heard of nitazenes, as they have been widely covered in the media this year. If so, you might be asking the question, ‘What are nitazenes?’ and wondering about any potential risks associated with these drugs.
The short answer is that nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids, some of which are highly potent. There are numerous risks associated with nitazenes and they can cause fatal overdose.
Some recreational users may be exposed to nitazene opioids without knowing, as they may be present in a drug or drug mix sold as something else. In this article we will look at the characteristics and risks associated with nitazenes, as well as emergency advice and where to seek help if required.
What Are Nitazenes?
Nitazenes are synthetic drugs, which means they are purpose-made in a laboratory. They belong to a group of drugs known as the 2-benzyl benzimidazole opioid family. Some specific kinds of nitazenes include isotonitazene and metonitazene. Numerous different variants have been identified. They can differ in potency, but they are all strong and act on opioid receptors in the brain. They can suppress breathing, and the potential for nitazene overdose is present in all variants.
Although they are synthetic opioids with some similar mechanisms, nitazenes differ from other opioids like fentanyl and morphine. Similar opioid risks do not make them the same chemical family.
Why Are Nitazenes a Concern in the UK?
It is not always easy to get an accurate picture of the harms related to any particular drug, particularly when they are still emerging. Governmental advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) reported that, while “direct evidence of the health harms of these newly emerging groups of drugs is limited, these are likely to reflect those of other potent opioids and the clinical data described to date is consistent with this”.
Data published in 2024 found that nitazenes were detected in laboratory testing associated with 179 deaths in England between June 2023 and May 2024. A study published the same year suggested that reported deaths may represent “the tip of the iceberg as emerging drugs were not routinely tested for.
It’s worth noting that other drugs may have also been present in some of the deaths. In some cases, nitazene may have been an ingredient in drugs sold or taken under other guises. Nitazenes are often found mixed into batches of heroin, counterfeit prescription drugs, cocaine, and even vaping liquids.
How Dangerous Are Nitazenes?
One of the main dangers of nitazenes is the potential of respiratory depression or slowed breathing. This can lead to loss of consciousness and can be potentially fatal. The effect can be exacerbated when the drug is mixed with other substances that can affect breathing, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines (benzos),and other opioids and depressants.
Potency can differ substantially between different compounds of the nitazene or 2-benzyl benzimidazole opioid family, but they all tend to be very strong. The unknown strength, uneven distribution within a product and repeated use can all help to make effects more unpredictable.
Can You Tell Whether a Drug Contains Nitazenes?
There is no single good and reliable way to test whether a particular drug-based product contains nitazene. The appearance, packaging, taste or a seller’s description cannot be used to reliably confirm the contents of any drug you use, even if you have used that buyer before. Nitazenes are not used for legitimate medical purposes in the UK or elsewhere, so will not be supplied through legitimate healthcare routes.
Some private laboratory testing and drug-checking services can help to identify the contents of a drug product but access and capabilities vary. A negative test cannot guarantee safety as the test may not cover every variant or represent the entire product.
What Are the Signs of an Opioid Overdose?
Slow, shallow or stopped breathing, inability to wake the person, and collapse are emergency warning signs. You should also note that noisy or irregular breathing is not proof the person is safely sleeping.
Small pupils and blue or grey lips may occur. Colour changes can be harder to see on darker skin. Opioid overdose can be fatal, so you should not wait to identify a nitazene or for all symptoms to appear before calling 999.
What Should You Do in an Emergency
- Call 999 and report a suspected opioid overdose. Give the location and relay any known substances taken.
- Give the ‘anti-overdose’ drug naloxone if available, following its instructions and dispatcher guidance; further doses may be needed.
- Naloxone can reverse opioid effects but does not replace ambulance care and is not guaranteed to reverse every substance in a mixture.
- Follow dispatcher instructions for CPR if the person is not breathing normally. Use the recovery position if unconscious but breathing normally.
- Stay with the person where it is safe to do so. Do not induce vomiting, give food or drink, or leave them to sleep it off.
Where Can You Find Support for Opioid Use
You can always speak to your GP or contact a local drug-service assessment if you or someone you know is experiencing cravings, withdrawal, loss of control or continued use of the drugs despite harm. Medicines such as methadone or buprenorphine may be prescribed where this is clinically appropriate.
Community treatment and residential rehabilitation might also be options depending on individual needs. Detox alone is not a complete recovery plan, and psychological therapeutic support might also be needed for long-term recovery.
Rehab Clinics Group can provide holistic opioid treatment plans and vital support to help address every aspect of opioid misuse and addiction.
If you are concerned about your own use of opioids or that of a loved one, contact Rehab Clinics Group today to discuss assessment and treatment options. Opioid misuse can be very dangerous and harmful, so it’s always best to seek appropriate help as quickly as possible.
