What Are Nitazenes?

Despite being more aware of the dangers of drug addiction, in the UK it continues to be a persistent problem. The most prevalent substance that people are becoming addicted to in the UK is opioids. In fact, according to the latest government figures, 44% of people in treatment are there for opioid problems.

This ongoing problem is due to the emergence of synthetic opioids in the UK, like fentanyl. This synthetic opioid is responsible for multiple opioid crises in the US, where in 2021, over 100,000 overdoses occurred – the majority of them due to fentanyl.

Nitazenes are a more dangerous class of synthetic opioids that have risen in prominence in the UK over the last few years.

It’s vital to know about the nitazene drug dangers, how it compares to fentanyl and what you can do to stay safe.

What are Nitazenes?

Nitazenes are a type of New Synthetic Opioid (NSO). They were initially developed in the 1950s by a Swiss company as an alternative to morphine but were never approved for medical use.

Common types of nitazenes include:

• Isotonitazene
• Etonitazene
• Metonitazene
• Protonitazene

Synthetic opioids are created in labs and not made from the opium plant directly like heroin. The drug Nitazene emerged in Europe around 2019 due to the Taliban regaining control over Afghanistan. This dramatically reduced the cultivation of opium and drug suppliers searched for other ways to keep customers.

Nitazenes are often mixed in with other drugs or found in counterfeit tablets so that suppliers can increase their profit margins.

These forms of synthetic opioids arrived in the UK around 2021, and deaths due to nitazenes have been on the rise. Between 2023 and 2024, 179 deaths involved nitazenes.

How Nitazenes Compare to Fentanyl

When it comes to nitazenes vs fentanyl, the main difference is potency.

Fentanyl is between 50 and 100 times more potent than heroin, making it a hazardous drug. Nitazenes can be tens of times more powerful than fentanyl, showing just how dangerous these new types of opioids are.

The potency makes them very addictive but also dangerous, as only a small amount can prove fatal. As nitazenes are often hidden in other substances and bought unknowingly, even small amounts can lead to people dying, as they don’t know what they’ve taken.

Also, fentanyl is big news in the US, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and has become known all over the world. The fact is that most people are unaware of nitazenes, and the fentanyl test strips can’t detect their presence.

Lack of detection and general knowledge of nitazenes means people are putting themselves more at risk than they think.

Effects of Nitazene Addiction

Suffering from heroin addiction or another form of opioid, like nitazenes, brings with it many dangers. Addiction can take over your life and endanger it.

Symptoms of nitazene addiction include:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Social isolation
• Lack of hygiene
• Loss of job and relationships
• Financial issues
• Recurring flu-like symptoms

When it comes to nitazenes, the biggest danger is overdose. Synthetic opioids, like nitazenes, are much more potent than other opioids so it is a danger to be aware of.

Symptoms of a nitazene overdose include:

• Slow breathing
• Blue/grey complexion
• Losing consciousness
• Cold and clammy skin

If you should see anyone suffering from these symptoms, contact emergency services immediately and try to keep the person awake.

The Growing Threat of Nitazenes in the UK

As more deaths have been attributed to nitazenes, authorities in the UK have begun to respond to the growing threat.

Most nitazenes were already classified as Class A drugs under the Misusue of Drug Acts. In January 2025 however, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs provided an amendment so that all substances that fall under the generic term of “nitazenes” as Class A drugs.

In response to rising drug crime and drug use, the National Crime Agency last year warned about nitazenes in its annual assessment.

Local authorities have responded too. In January this year, Norfolk Constabulary sent out warnings and in April, Durham police did the same.

This response is due to how nitazenes are being consumed unknowingly. Whilst you may expect it to be found in street heroin and other opioids, those suffering from a prescription drug addiction are at risk too. Nitazenes have been found in counterfeit benzodiazepines and other black-market anti-anxiety pills.

Drugs laced with nitazenes are advertised on social media and supplied from places like China, where they are smuggled in, hiding the drugs in dog food and other innocuous products.

It should also be noted that naloxone, a medication that can reduce the effects of opioids and help when an overdose occurs, is not always effective against nitazenes due to their potency.

Reducing the Dangers of Nitazenes

People dying or overdosing from nitazenes are doing so unknowingly. If you continue to plan on using opioids, there are ways to reduce the danger in case they are contaminated with nitazenes.

• Cautious use – Be vigilant about the sources from which you get your opioids. Start with a low amount and go slow to reduce the risk of overdosing.
• Never use alone – If you’re going to use, have people around you. They can be on hand to help you if your drugs are contaminated.
• Have naloxone – Naloxone is a lifesaver and vital for opioid drug users to prevent fatal overdoses. Carry some.
• Avoid mixing – Mixing substances can have unpredictable effects and increase the risk of overdose.
• Watch out for potential overdoses – Learn about the symptoms of an overdose. If you think one is occurring, immediately contact emergency services and give the person naloxone.
• Test – Nitazenes drug test strips are available, and organisations such as Change Grow Live can help you get some.
• Get Help – If you are ready to stop, a drug rehab can help you overcome your addiction and leave the nitazene drug dangers behind.

Staying Safe and Seeking Help

In reality, there is no safe way to take nitazenes. They are much more dangerous than even fentanyl, and as people take them unknowingly, public education, harm reduction, and access to treatment are the only things that will reduce the dangers of them.

At Action Rehab, if you are already using opioids or at risk, we can help. We’ll help you start your journey and find treatment options such as addiction counselling that can lead you to a healthier way of living.

For more information, contact us now at 0151 268 6992.

Posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 at 12:22 pm in Addiction.