Death Case Detected with a New Synthetic Opioid Protonitazene

Abstract

The recent reemergence of nitazenes, a new class of synthetic opioids, has raised public health concerns. Development of these substances was discontinued in the 1950s due to their high abuse potential, and little is known about their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. These gaps in knowledge create significant challenges in early detection and treatment of poisoning. Protonitazen is structurally different from synthetic opioids typically encountered in forensic casework. This new opioid exhibits a potency similar to other recently emerged “nitazen” opioids and is approximately three times more potent than fentanyl. The aim of this study is to provide information about protonitazen,  has a high lethal potential due to its efficacy and potency and is of importance because it has a tendency to infiltrate the drug market in our country, to increase awareness about nitazens, and to draw attention to the fact that toxicology laboratories should be vigilant against these substances.