Nitazenes explained: New deadly drug causing Aussies to overdose

Only a small amount of a new drug circulating in Australia can be fatal, with one health body saying “there is no safe dose”. Here’s everything you need to know.

Nitazenes is a synthetic drug that has been described as being up to 500 times more powerful than heroin.

There have been at least 20 deaths linked to nitazenes in Australia, with drug experts warning it had the potential to be a tsunami.

Here’s a look at what we know about nitazenes.

WHAT ARE NITAZENES?

Nitazenes are a synthetic opioid, which has been connected to a number of overdose deaths.

Opioids are a type of drug that affects the opioid receptors in the brain, and are related to the opium poppy.

Researchers developed nitazenes about 60 years ago as an alternative to morphine, but they were never made public because of their high potential for overdose, according to a the Royal Australia College of General Practitioners.

Nitazenes are a class of synthetic opioids that can be up to 500 times more powerful than heroin. Picture: Getty Images

EFFECTS OF NITAZENES

Nitazenes can affect people differently depending on a variety of factors, including size, weight and health, dosage, strength of the batch, whether other drugs were also taken and whether the person has taken it before, according to the Australia Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) website.

Some short term effects can include:

• Euphoria
• Relaxation, drowsiness or clumsiness
• Pain relief
• Reduced stress
• Itchiness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and sweating
• Slow breath and heart rate

CAN YOU OVERDOSE FROM NITAZENES?

Only a small amount of the drug can be fatal, with NSW Health saying “there is no safe dose”.

The potency of nitazenes can vary from a level similar to morphine to stronger than fentanyl.

There have been cases in Australia this year where people overdosed after taking cocaine that was laced with nitazenes.

Australian Border Force officers have uncovered stashes of nitazenes hidden inside bandaid packaging and in pill form. Picture: Australian Border Force

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT AN OVERDOSE?

Australians have been urged to call for medical assistance or ambulance (dial triple-0) immediately if they or someone they are with is experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Slow or shallow breathing, or snoring
• Bluish or greyish lips and complexion
• Pinpoint pupils
• Passing out
• Coma
• Death

Naxolene, which is medication that can be administered to temporarily reverse an overdose from opioids can work, but nitazenes overdoses often require multiple doses.

The person who overdosed may need to be treated in hospital.

Naxolene is available in Australia from some pharmacies, needle and syringe program or opioid treatment services without a prescription.

WHERE HAVE NITAZENES BEEN FOUND

“Nitazenes have also been found in vapes and counterfeit tablets such as benzodiazepines, and in drugs thought to be heroin or MDMA,” states NSW Health.

They have also been found in cocaine.

Nitazenes are a synthetic form of opioids, which have been found in false pharmacy medications, as well as street drugs like heroin and cocaine.

KNOWN AUSTRALIAN OVERDOSES

At least four people have been hospitalised in Sydney so far this year with severe opioid overdose caused by nitazenes.

Melbourne plasterer Thomas Vale, 32, and his girlfriend Carly Morse, 42, were killed when they took cocaine laced with nitazenes in July. 

Enough nitazenes to kill two million Australians has already been seized this year, as police scramble to stem the flow from 120 labs in China.

MIXING NITAZENES WITH OTHER DRUGS

The result of mixing nitazenes with other drugs, whether they be over-the-counter, prescribed or otherwise, can be “unpredictable and dangerous”, according to the ADF.

The ADF website advises people to avoid taking nitazenes with other substances, especially other opioids, as well as alcohol, B+GHB and benzodiazepines.