N-Desethyl Isotonitazene: A Potent Synthetic Opioid on the Rise

20x More Potent than Fentanyl: N-Desethyl Isotonitazene

The opioid crisis in the United States continues to evolve as new synthetic opioids emerge on the recreational drug market. One of the latest threats is N-Desethyl Isotonitazene, a new synthetic opioid that bears structural resemblance to other opioids like isotonitazene and nitazene analogues. Unlike fentanyl, which is the most commonly encountered synthetic opioid, N-Desethyl Isotonitazene has emerged as a primary drug in its own right. This new subclass of opioids has been proliferating in the wake of the scheduling of fentanyl analogues. In terms of potency, N-Desethyl Isotonitazene is approximately 20 times more potent than fentanyl, which makes it an extremely dangerous substance for recreational drug users. In this article, we will delve deeper into the emergence of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene and the associated public health concerns.

Emergence of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene

N-Desethyl Isotonitazene was first reported by NPS Discovery (Florida) in December 2022, however, the first identifications of this new synthetic opioid were observed as early as September 2022. This new nitazene analogue has been found to be present in the recreational drug supply in the city of Philadelphia. This is a cause for concern as N-Desethyl Isotonitazene‘s potency, its structural similarity to other synthetic opioids, and its early emergence in the recreational drug market, indicate that it could be widely distributed and used. This highlights the need for law enforcement and public health officials to be vigilant in monitoring the spread of this new opioid in order to mitigate its potential harms to the public.

Public Health Concerns:

The toxicity of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene has not yet been examined or reported, but recent association with overdoses among people who use drugs leads professionals to believe that this synthetic opioid has the potential to cause harm. Due to its high potency, N-Desethyl Isotonitazene poses a significant risk to those who use it recreationally. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health issued an alert in December 2022 regarding the discovery of this new nitazene analogue in the city’s drug supply, highlighting the growing concern among public health officials about the dangers of this new synthetic opioid. As more information about the toxicity of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene becomes available, it will be crucial for public health officials to take action to mitigate the potential harms associated with this drug.

Cost of Purchasing N-Desethyl Isotonitazene

A quick google searched revealed numerous Chinese chemical companies selling the drug on the open web. I chatted with a few of them through WhatsApp about purchasing the drug. All of them offered the drug for about $4,500 a kilo. This is a cheap price compared to Fentanyl ($17,000 a kilo). Of the ones that discussed sending the drug to me, they said that they would conceal the shipment in legitimate goods to fool customs. I was guaranteed delivery to the US, Australia and New Zealand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, N-Desethyl Isotonitazene is a new synthetic opioid that has emerged on the recreational drug market as a primary drug in its own right. It is structurally similar to other synthetic opioids, but is 20 times more potent than fentanyl, making it an extremely dangerous substance for recreational drug users. The emergence of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene in the drug supply of Philadelphia highlights the need for law enforcement and public health officials to be vigilant in monitoring the spread of this new opioid. Although the toxicity of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene has not yet been examined or reported, recent association with overdoses among people who use drugs leads professionals to believe that it has the potential to cause harm. It is crucial for further research and monitoring of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene to be conducted in order to understand its potential harms and to take action to protect public health. Only by staying informed and taking proactive measures can we hope to mitigate the harms associated with this new synthetic opioid.