The Deadly Rise of Nitazenes: A More Lethal Synthetic Opioid Surpasses Fentanyl
Nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids, are emerging as a deadly threat in overdose cases, with some drugs in this class being 100 times more potent than morphine. Recent studies have shown that nitazene overdoses often require multiple doses of naloxone, the overdose-reversal drug, indicating their increased lethality compared to fentanyl. These drugs, originally developed in the 1950s but never brought to market, have been discovered by clandestine labs and are now being used illicitly. Nitazenes are illegal in the UK, but their presence as adulterants in other drugs is a growing concern. Public health agencies are urging education on nitazenes and the use of naloxone to combat overdose.