Nitazenes are opioid analgesics and have been around for decades, according to the Boulder County Coroner’s Office. However, since mid-2023 the drug has caused two deaths in Boulder County.
According to the coroner’s office, the deaths were caused by Etonitazene and Protonitazene intoxication, both of which include nitazene.
During the investigation for the Etonitazene intoxication, the compound had to be sent to a national research laboratory because of its unique chemical structure which was not easily identified due to a lack of knowledge, research and documentation on the drug.
The recent emergence of Nitazenes in forensic toxicology suggests an evolution in synthetic drug creation.
“The dynamic nature of illicit drug markets, with substances like Nitazenes being introduced, poses serious challenges for public health and law enforcement,” according to a news release from the Boulder County Coroner’s Office. “The most common Nitazene compounds include Isotonitazene, Metonitazene, Etonitazene and Protonitazene.”
The Boulder County Coroner’s Office wants people to be aware of the introduction of Nitazenes to illegal drugs. It stated that these modifications are done intentionally by illicit drug suppliers to evade legal regulations and detection methods.
Over the last year, the county has recorded fewer Fentanyl deaths but is concerned with the emergence of Nitazenes which can increase the likelihood of a person being harmed by the drug or even death.
Nitazenes are sold as a white powder, crystalline solid or a brown/yellow powder and can be mixed into tablets. The drug has been found in fake oxycodone tablets, heroin, ketamine and synthetic cannabinoids, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.
Naloxone — which is an opioid antagonist and often used for Fentanyl overdoses — can reverse the effects of Nitazene intoxication. Much like Fentanyl, multiple doses may be required to reverse the effects.
