Experts warn drug stronger than fentanyl could fuel new overdose wave

YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) —A synthetic opioid that is estimated to be up to five times stronger than fentanyl is gaining attention across the country.

Known as nitazene, the drug has been increasingly detected in drug seizures in recent years, prompting concern from health experts.

Nitazenes were initially developed in Switzerland in the 1960s for pain treatment, but were never approved for medical use in the United States. Since 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration has reported more than 4,000 instances of nitazene found in drug seizures nationwide.

Banner Health toxicologist Bryan Kuhn says toxicology screenings are showing more of these compounds, though fentanyl remains more commonly found.

“There are quite a few of these nitazene drugs, and we’re finding various products within this new category with increasing frequency when we do our drug tests,” Kuhn said.

He explained that nitazenes are similar in effect to fentanyl, and in some cases, more potent. That raises the risk of overdose, especially when users are unaware they are consuming it.

“As pure pharmaceutical grade fentanyl becomes harder to find in the illicit drug market, we’re going to see alternatives take its place, and I think this is where the nitazenes fit into the broader landscape,” Kuhn said.

Kuhn said it’s still too early to know how widespread the use of nitazene may become.

Countries like the United Kingdom are sounding the alarm about the drug, with more than 400 deaths linked to nitazene since 2023.

The DEA has warned that trafficking organizations could eventually use the same established routes they use for fentanyl to move nitazenes into the United States, including through the southern border.

San Luis Police Lt. Emmanuel Botello said his department works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and states that, to date, nitazene hasn’t been seen in the area.

“We’re talking about a drug that’s even worse than fentanyl, and that says a lot,” Botello said.

He said that if nitazenes do begin to become prevalent in the region, first responders may need to carry and administer larger quantities of naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, to reverse overdoses.

“Given the potency that nitazenes are stronger than fentanyl, we know chances are we’re going to have to deploy more Narcan packages than we do with fentanyl,” he said.

Just as the department adapted when fentanyl became more widespread, he said they would do the same with any new drug, ensuring officers are well prepared and stay safe.

Even as overdose deaths decline nationally, Arizona still reports an average of five overdose deaths per day.

EMT Colton Moore sees the impact firsthand and recently experienced a personal loss when his mother died from an overdose in April. Her addiction began after a prescription for opioids following brain surgery.

“I don’t ever get to hug her again. She was my world, my rock, my everything,” Moore said.

Moore is now working to raise awareness about opioid addiction and is calling for more resources and education. He is working to speak to state lawmakers about possible legislation aimed at prevention.

“Everybody really should think about this, because it could happen to you,” he said.

In May, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill that classifies nitazene as a narcotic, making it illegal to possess, sell, use or transport within the state. While the drug is already prohibited under federal law, the state law adds another layer of enforcement.

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