nitazenes
Coverage of nitazenes in the Nexus archive.
- Super-potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes are spreading across the U.S.
Super-potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes are spreading across the U.S. Ashley Delgado, who had high academic achievements and dreams of becoming a doctor, developed an addiction starting with OxyContin in her mid-20s, progressing through methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.
- Super-Potent Synthetic Opioids Spread Across US Amid Fentanyl Crackdown
Ashley Delgado died in 2023 from an overdose involving nitazenes, synthetic opioids up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl. These drugs, often laced into other substances, are spreading across the US despite DEA efforts to combat them.
- Dangerous synthetic opioids found in fake medicines, EU drug agency warns
The EU Drugs Agency warns of dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes and orphines found in fake medicines, contributing to record drug-related deaths in Europe. Seizures of these substances increased significantly in 2024, with 7,600 overdose fatalities reported, driven by potent new drugs and evolving illicit markets.
- New ‘safer opioid’ delivers pain relief without addiction risk in early tests
Researchers at NIDA and NIH developed a new opioid derivative, DFNZ, showing strong pain relief without addiction risks or respiratory depression in early tests. The study highlights potential for safer opioid alternatives for chronic pain and overdose prevention.