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Nitazenes have rapidly spread into recreational drug markets for a number of reasons – high potency (which makes them easier to transport), legal status and high economic value, as well as the fact that they are relatively simple to synthesise without controlled precursors.
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Pharmacological research has found that many nitazenes have an exceptionally powerful effect. Although they bind to and selectively activate the same recetors as fentanyl and morphine (the mu receptors), they do so with an efficacy that is 60 times greater than fentanyl. They also activate these receptors with considerably greater strength.
Some analogues are up to 10 times stronger than fentanyl, or 100 times more potent than morphine. This high potency can have dramatic implications for public health – even tiny amounts (nanograms per millilitre) can be lethal.
Arriving directly to Europe
Nitazenes are increasingly appearing on the streets. The latest official figures indicate that, as of 2024, they had been found in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America, with Europe being the most affected region to date. Unlike fentanyl, which reached Europe via Mexico and the United States, nitazenes are arriving directly from Asia through a wider variety of distribution channels. We can expect to see more nitazenes in Europe over the coming months and years.
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Nitazenes present several challenges for forensic toxicology. These molecules do not show up in routine tests designed to detect morphine, heroin, or fentanyl.
Because they are very potent and used in very low concentrations, they can only be detected by highly sensitive analytical methods. Given that many derivatives with very similar structures are constantly emerging, identifying a specific molecule is also complicated. This means analytical methods needs to be continuously updated.
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