A deadly synthetic opioid named Nitazene is sending London clubland into a panic as two more were killed by the drug.
The drugs, believed to be up to 500 times stronger than heroin, is said to be “spreading like wildfire” around the capital on the party scene, and now warnings have been made after two further people died in suspected drug overdoses from the highly potent drugs.
So what exactly are nitazenes and what symptoms can people look for in an overdose?
What are nitazenes?
Nitazenes are a class of designer drugs that emerged in the 2010s. They are derivatives of benzodiazepines, which are a class of psychoactive drugs used primarily for treating anxiety, insomnia, and other related conditions.
They gained popularity in the recreational drug scene due to their sedative and anxiolytic effects, but they also pose significant risks. They can be much stronger than other opiate substances such as heroin, fentanyl, and morphine.
The BBC reported they can be several hundred times more potent than these substances. Nitazenes are typically sold on the illicit drug market and are often found in various forms such as powders, pills, or liquids.
They are also often missold as oxycodone tablets or laced with substances such as heroin, ketamine, or cannabinoids.
Nitazenes, particularly certain derivatives such as flualprazolam and flubromazolam, have been associated with numerous deaths worldwide.
The UK’s NHS in 2023 issued an alert about the risks of nitazenes and a rise in reported overdoses.
The Government also banned 10 types of nitazene substances after they were listed as Class A drugs. One particular nitazene, isotonitazene, caused 24 fatalities in the UK in 2021 alone.
How do nitazenes compare to fentanyl?
Nitazenes and fentanyl are types of synthetic opioids but are not related structurally. They belong to different classes of compounds and have distinct pharmacological properties.
Nitazenes primarily act on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, leading to enhanced inhibitory neurotransmission and producing sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic effects. Fentanyl, as an opioid, primarily acts on mu-opioid receptors, leading to analgesia, euphoria, and respiratory depression.
Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids available for medical use, with a potency estimated to be 50 to 100 times that of morphine. Nitazenes vary in potency depending on the specific compound, but they are generally less potent than fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a controlled substance in most countries and is available by prescription for medical use, primarily as a pain reliever and anesthetic. However, illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its analogs have been implicated in a significant number of overdose deaths worldwide. Nitazenes, being designer drugs, often fall into legal grey areas and are frequently sold on the illicit drug market.
What are the dangers?
Taking nitazenes can pose several dangers, especially when used without medical supervision or in high doses. Some of the risks associated with nitazene use include:
What are the signs of a nitazene or fentanyl overdose?
According to the UK charity, We Are With You, signs that someone has had an overdose can include:
If you suspect that someone is having an overdose, try to wake them by talking loudly, check that they are breathing, and call 999 for an ambulance.
Naloxone is a drug that can be administered to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Visit the NHS website if you need help or support with nitazene dependence.
The UK has several helplines that provide confidential advice, support, and information to individuals struggling with drug or alcohol dependence. These helplines are staffed by trained professionals who can offer guidance on treatment options and local support services. Examples include:
