A ‘Frankenstein’ opioid estimated to be up to 40 times more powerful than fentanyl is sweeping Britain, experts have warned.
Nitacenes are manufactured in clandestine Chinese laboratories and smuggled into the UK through normal criminal channels.
The synthetic drug, which money-hungry dealers mix with heroin because it is cheap, addictive and increases its euphoric effect. – is credited with driving an “unusual” rise in overdoses and deaths in recent months.
In addition to being mixed with other substances, it is also sold as oxycodone pills or Xanax powders, according to charities.
Experts told MailOnline that the rise of nitacenes in the UK is “very worrying” as these addictive drugs are now seen in most regions.
For most, it is “too late” before they realize they have taken nitazenes.
Nitacenes are manufactured in clandestine Chinese laboratories and smuggled into the UK through normal criminal channels. Two dozen deaths were linked to isotonitazene, a form of nitazene, in 2021 alone, according to data from the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
Nitacenes were originally developed as pain relievers by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Ciba in the 1950s, but never made it to the market.
However, in recent years they have emerged among drug users in the United States, nicknamed “Frankenstein” opioids because of their great power.
It is believed to have formally arrived in the UK about two years ago, when the National Crime Agency first detected it among overdose patients.
Available in powder, tablet and liquid form, they can be injected, swallowed, placed under the tongue, inhaled and vaped.
The drugs cause feelings of pain relief, euphoria, relaxation and drowsiness. But they can also cause sweating, itching and nausea.
Nitacenes mimic the effects of natural opioids, such as morphine, and are often combined with these medications, creating a deadly cocktail.
Users do not always know they are taking nitacenes, and law enforcement discovered that some people who thought they were using heroin were actually taking nitacenes, acetaminophen, and caffeine.
Two dozen deaths were linked to isotonitazene, a form of nitazene, in 2021 alone, according to data from the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
Iso, often called ‘Tony’, is the one most commonly found in toxicology reports, experts told MailOnline.
Other clinics say nitacenes come from unregulated laboratories in China.
Experts believe these labs combed through research papers trying to develop synthetic opioids and stumbled upon nitacenes, which are cheaper to produce than fentanyl. Traffickers prefer fentanyl because it is very cheap compared to heroin.
The growing presence of Nitacenes in the UK has been attributed to the Taliban clamping down on the poppy crop in Afghanistan, where most of the UK’s heroin comes from. It has forced criminal gangs to look for alternatives.
In July, OHID issued a national patient safety alert warning about the drug.
While around 40 opioid drug deaths are recorded in England and Wales each week, on average, there have been a “high number of overdoses”, mainly among heroin users, some of which resulted in death. However, OHID did not share its data.
Cases are geographically widespread with some cities and towns in most regions of the UK being affected, according to OHID.
He said tests suggested nitacenes, which can be purchased on the dark web, were the “common cause” behind the overdoses.
“Its potency and toxicity are uncertain, but perhaps similar or greater than that of fentanyl, which is approximately 100 times greater than morphine,” the OHID added.
He urged NHS teams, emergency service providers and private and voluntary drug and alcohol services to be aware of the “risk and serious toxicity” of taking heroin with nitacenes and warn drug users.
Available in powder, tablet, and liquid form, nitacenes can be injected, swallowed, placed under the tongue, inhaled, and vaped. Pictured: opioids
Experts believe these labs combed through research papers trying to develop synthetic opioids and stumbled upon nitacenes, which are cheaper to produce than fentanyl (pictured). Traffickers prefer fentanyl because of its price, compared to heroin.
The OHID noted that naloxone, the antidote for opioid overdoses, works against nitacenes.
But it has to be given “quickly,” as the drug is more likely to cause respiratory arrest because it is so potent.
Research suggests that patients who take too many nitazenes typically need two doses of naloxone to recover, compared to fentanyl users who only need one.
Nitacenes are a class A substance, meaning possession can lead to seven years in prison, while supply can lead to life in prison. Unlimited fines may also be imposed for both violations.
Law enforcement agencies have issued alerts about nitazenes in recent weeks, warning that they are “incredibly dangerous” and can be “deadly” when taken at the same dosage as natural opioids.
West Mercia, which covers Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, reported that nitacenes have been behind up to 20 overdoses in the area.
Birmingham charities say they recorded more than 30 overdose deaths in June and July. Twenty-four were related to isotonitazene, three times more than would normally be expected from any single drug during the summer months.
Experts have expressed concern that nitacenes could appear in other drugs, such as ketamine and cocaine, as has been seen with fentanyl. This could increase the risk of overdose among a broader group of drug users.
National agencies are working together in the worst affected areas, warning drug users about the risks and ensuring more naloxone is available.
Ian Hamilton, associate professor of addiction at the University of York, told MailOnline that the rise in deaths from nitazenes is “very worrying, although not surprising, given how potent they are”.
He said: ‘They have begun to circulate over the last year, partly due to the reduction in heroin supplies from Afghanistan as the Taliban clamp down on opium cultivation.
‘Unfortunately the demand for opiates has not reduced and it seems that these types of drugs are filling the gap.
“Most people don’t realize they are taking these types of opioids or how strong they are until it is too late and they experience problems, including an overdose.”
Professor Colin Davidson, head of pharmacy and biomedical sciences at the University of Central Lancashire, told MailOnline that nitacenes are “very concerning”.
He said: “Some are more potent than fentanyl and heroin, which are two of the most dangerous drugs of abuse.”
Studies suggest that these drugs prevent animals from breathing at lower doses than fentanyl and have a much longer effect.
‘It is the cessation of breathing that makes these drugs so dangerous. Fortunately, overdoses can be treated with naloxone if it is administered quickly enough,” he added.
A government spokesperson said: ‘Any death from an illegal drug overdose is a preventable tragedy, which is why we are committed to combating the trade and use of illegal drugs. We are working with partners to closely monitor this situation, detect and break drug supply chains, warn people who could be at risk and save lives.
‘More broadly, our 10-year drugs strategy is boosting drug treatment and we are investing £532 million to tackle addiction.
“By the end of parliament, local authority funding for treatment will have increased by 40 per cent compared to 2020.”
