Chemistry:Metonitazene
Metonitazene is an analgesic compound related to etonitazene,[1][2] which was first reported in 1957,[3] and has been shown to have approximately 100 times the potency of morphine by central routes of administration,[4][5] but if used orally it has been shown to have approximately 10 times the potency of morphine.[6]
Its effects are similar to other opioids such as fentanyl and heroin, including analgesia, euphoria, and sleepiness.[6][7] Adverse effects include vomiting, and respiratory depression that can potentially be fatal.[8] Because of high dependency potential and dangerous adverse effects it has never been introduced into pharmacotherapy. It is instead commonly used in the illicit manufacture of counterfeit oxycodone opioid pills.[9]
Legal status
In the United States, metonitazene is a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act.
Metonitazene is not controlled under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances; however, in many countries possession or intent to sell for human consumption might be prosecuted under several analog acts.
Metonitazene became a Class A drug in the UK on 20th March 2024.
See also
References
- ↑ "Synthesis, Chemical Characterization, and μ-Opioid Receptor Activity Assessment of the Emerging Group of "Nitazene" 2-Benzylbenzimidazole Synthetic Opioids". ACS Chemical Neuroscience 12 (7): 1241–1251. April 2021. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00064. PMID 33759494. https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/8714061.
- ↑ "DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Etonitazene and Related Benzimidazoles". ACS Chemical Neuroscience 12 (7): 1072–1092. April 2021. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00037. PMID 33760580.
- ↑ "[Synthesis of analgesically active benzimidazole derivatives with basic substitutions]". Experientia 13 (10): 400–401. October 1957. doi:10.1007/bf02161116. PMID 13473817.
- ↑ "Drug Trend Alert: Nitazenes". Hamilton County, Ohio. https://hamiltoncountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DrugTrendAlert_June2024.pdf.
- ↑ "Benzimidazol-Derivate und verwandte Heterocyclen III. Synthese von 1-Aminoalkyl-2-nenzyl-nitro-benzimidazolen" (in en). Helvetica Chimica Acta 43 (4): 1032–1046. 1960. doi:10.1002/hlca.19600430412.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "[New powerful analgetics and their clinical testing]". Klinische Wochenschrift 36 (20): 960–963. October 1958. doi:10.1007/bf01486702. PMID 13612082.
- ↑ "Metonitazene in the United States-Forensic toxicology assessment of a potent new synthetic opioid using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry". Drug Testing and Analysis 13 (10): 1697–1711. October 2021. doi:10.1002/dta.3115. PMID 34137194.
- ↑ "Acute Intoxications and Fatalities Associated With Benzimidazole Opioid (Nitazene Analog) Use: A Systematic Review". Therapeutic Drug Monitoring 44 (4): 494–510. August 2022. doi:10.1097/FTD.0000000000000970. PMID 35149665.
- ↑ "A synthetic opioid stronger than fentanyl and hundreds of times more potent than heroin is emerging in Australia" (in en-AU). 24 June 2024. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-25/nitazines-synthetic-opioid-warning-australia-overdose-deaths/104013774.
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