| Iupac name | 2-[2-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]-N,N-diethylethanamine |
|---|---|
| Width | 200 |
| Legal br | F1 |
| Legal de | Anlage II |
| Legal uk | Class A |
| Legal us | Schedule I |
| Legal status | Illegal in Sweden[1] |
| Cas number | 14680-51-4 |
| Unii | A7FF4K4CWB |
| Kegg | C22727 |
| Pubchem | 53316366 |
| Chemspiderid | 81407756 |
| Chebi | 234362 |
| C | 21 |
| H | 26 |
| N | 4 |
| O | 3 |
| Smiles | CCN(CC)CCN1C2=C(C=C(C=C2)[N+](=O)[O-])N=C1CC3=CC=C(C=C3)OC |
| Stdinchi | 1S/C21H26N4O3/c1-4-23(5-2)12-13-24-20-11-8-17(25(26)27)15-19(20)22-21(24)14-16-6-9-18(28-3)10-7-16/h6-11,15H,4-5,12-14H2,1-3H3 |
| Stdinchikey | HNGZTLMRQTVPBH-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
Metonitazene is an analgesic compound related to etonitazene,[2][3] which was first reported in 1957,[4] and has been shown to have approximately 100 times the potency of morphine by central routes of administration,[5][6] but if used orally it has been shown to have approximately 10 times the potency of morphine.[7]
Its effects are similar to other opioids such as fentanyl and heroin, including analgesia, euphoria, and sleepiness.[7][8] Adverse effects include vomiting, and respiratory depression that can potentially be fatal.[9] 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.[10]
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
- ^ Riksdagsförvaltningen. "Förordning (1992:1554) om kontroll av narkotika Svensk författningssamling 1992:1992:1554 t.o.m. SFS 2021:301 - Riksdagen" (in Swedish). www.riksdagen.se
- ^ Vandeputte MM, Van Uytfanghe K, Layle NK, St Germaine DM, Iula DM, Stove CP (April 2021). "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. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00064. hdl:1854/LU-8714061. PMID 33759494. S2CID 232337929
- ^ Ujváry I, Christie R, Evans-Brown M, Gallegos A, Jorge R, de Morais J, Sedefov R (April 2021). "DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Etonitazene and Related Benzimidazoles". ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 12 (7): 1072–1092. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00037. PMID 33760580. S2CID 232356192
- ^ Hunger A, Kebrle J, Rossi A, Hoffmann K (October 1957). "[Synthesis of analgesically active benzimidazole derivatives with basic substitutions]". Experientia. 13 (10): 400–401. doi:10.1007/bf02161116. PMID 13473817. S2CID 32179439
- ^ "Drug Trend Alert: Nitazenes". Hamilton County Public Health. Hamilton County, Ohio. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Hunger VA, Kebrle J, Rossi A, Hoffmann K (1960). "Benzimidazol-Derivate und verwandte Heterocyclen III. Synthese von 1-Aminoalkyl-2-nenzyl-nitro-benzimidazolen". Helvetica Chimica Acta. 43 (4): 1032–1046. doi:10.1002/hlca.19600430412
- ^ Bromig G (October 1958). "[New powerful analgetics and their clinical testing]". Klinische Wochenschrift. 36 (20): 960–963. doi:10.1007/bf01486702. PMID 13612082. S2CID 1023209
- ^ Krotulski AJ, Papsun DM, Walton SE, Logan BK (October 2021). "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. doi:10.1002/dta.3115. PMID 34137194. S2CID 235460764
- ^ Montanari E, Madeo G, Pichini S, Busardò FP, Carlier J (August 2022). "Acute Intoxications and Fatalities Associated With Benzimidazole Opioid (Nitazene Analog) Use: A Systematic Review". Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. 44 (4): 494–510. doi:10.1097/FTD.0000000000000970. PMID 35149665. S2CID 246776288
- ^ "A synthetic opioid stronger than fentanyl and hundreds of times more potent than heroin is emerging in Australia". ABC News. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.