Nitazenes are synthetic opioids hundreds of times stronger than fentanyl – and they’re causing a wave of overdoses and deaths across Australia. What makes nitazenes particularly dangerous is that many people don’t even know they’re taking them.

What are nitazenes and how do they compare to fentanyl?

Nitazenes are potent synthetic opioids that act on opioid receptors in the brain, similar to heroin and fentanyl. However, nitazenes are significantly more potent than fentanyl, with some variants being up to 1000 times stronger. This extreme potency means that even tiny amounts can cause severe harm or death.

The growing nitazenes threat in Australia

Health departments across Australia have issued public alerts following nitazene-related harms and deaths. The Australian Federal Police have reported an increase in nitazene detections, indicating a growing presence in Australia’s drug supply.

Why are nitazenes appearing now?

A significant decrease in Afghanistan’s opium production has led to a global increase in synthetic opioid use, a trend that is now impacting Australia. Because they’re cheap, nitazenes are being used to cut up other drugs. 

How are nitazenes being consumed?

What’s particularly scary is that nitazenes have been detected in a variety of drugs, including cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), heroin, ketamine, vapes and counterfeit prescription medications.

This means people are unknowingly ingesting nitazenes, significantly increasing the risk of overdose.

Nitazene effects and overdose risks

Nitazenes work like other opioid drugs, but they’re much stronger and more dangerous. And often people don’t know they’ve taken them. When someone takes nitazenes and overdoses, they might experience:

• Feeling extremely sleepy or drowsy
• Trouble breathing or very slow breathing
• Tiny, pin-sized pupils in their eyes
• Passing out or becoming unresponsive
• In the worst cases, death

These effects can happen quickly and without warning, which is why nitazenes are so risky. They will need immediate help to reverse a potentially deadly overdose.

Multiple doses of naloxone may be required to reverse a nitazene overdose due to their potency.

Are nitazenes legal?

No, nitazenes are not legal in Australia. Since nitazenes work like other illegal opioids, they fall under these laws and are treated as illegal substances.

Combating the nitazene crisis

Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach:

1. Increased awareness: We need widespread education about the risks of nitazenes.
2. Expanded naloxone access: Naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, but multiple doses may be needed for nitazene overdoses.
3. Drug checking and pill testing services: These can help identify high-risk substances before consumption.
4. Support for people who use drugs: Ensuring access to harm reduction services and treatment options is crucial.

The Unharm community believes in a compassionate, evidence-based approach to drug policy. By working together, we can prevent overdoses and save lives in the face of this emerging threat.