Super-potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes are spreading across the U.S. - Takeaways - MDSpire

Super-potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes are spreading across the U.S.

  • By

  • Jonathan Moens — Bellingcat

  • June 18, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Nitazenes are a class of synthetic opioids that have seen a significant rise in overdose deaths in the U.S., increasing from 27 in 2020 to 409 in 2024.

  • 2

    These drugs, developed in the 1950s but never marketed, can be up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl and 500 times stronger than heroin.

  • 3

    The DEA began tracking nitazene seizures in 2014, with a marked increase noted since 2019, leading to federal actions against their distribution.

  • 4

    Ohio has reported the highest number of nitazene-related overdose deaths, with fatalities rising from four in 2020 to over 200 between 2022 and 2024.

  • 5

    Nitazenes are often mixed with other drugs, including fentanyl, increasing the risk of fatal overdoses among users seeking common substances.

Original Source(s)

Super-potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes are spreading across the U.S.

  • by Jonathan Moens — Bellingcat

  • June 18, 2026

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