Synthetic opioids stronger than fentanyl have cropped up in US
A group of synthetic opioids called nitazenes, even more powerful than fentanyl in some of its forms, has begun to emerge… Forensic experts have found that the syringes used in some overdoses contain a potent synthetic opioid class – nitazenes – which is up to 20 times more powerful than fentanyl – a drug that is already 50 times more powerful than heroin and 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
…nitazenes are grossly underreported as they are not routinely tested for, especially when a medical examiner discovers fentanyl was present in someone who experienced a fatal overdose. Krotulski said his lab alone has had at least 1,000 identifications of nitazenes and estimates the drug may account for about 5 percent of the 100,000 fatal overdoses last year… “It’s very real that these molecules could become widespread, absolutely,” Dr. Nora Volkow of NIDA, said. “We need to be prepared to screen and recognize when they are emerging so we can intervene first and understand where they are coming from, where they are being distributed and educate the public about them.”
Original Article (MSN & Healthline):
Synthetic opioids stronger than fentanyl have cropped up in the US & Drug more potent than fentanyl detected in East TN, Nashville health leaders say & New opioids called nitazenes may be 20 times stronger than fentanyl
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