Nitazenes slow down messages between your brain and body. They are a type of synthetic opioid. Synthetic opioids are drugs that are made to mimic chemicals in the opium poppy.
Nitazenes come as pills, powders or liquids.
Most people do not choose to use nitazenes. They are usually sold as other drugs without you knowing. For example, as benzodiazepines or heroin.
Nitazenes have a high risk of overdose and death.
Drug category: opioid
Opioids are drugs that are made:
- from chemicals in the opium poppy (opiates) - such as heroin
- to mimic the effects of opiates (synthetic opioids) - such as fentanyl or nitazenes
Opioids relieve pain but have a high risk of physical dependency or overdose.
Other names for nitazenes
Scientific names for nitazenes include: benzimidazole opioids, etonitazene, isotonitazene, metonitazene, protonitazene
Effects of nitazenes
Nitazenes are much stronger than other opioids. This increases the risk of overdose and death.
Nitazenes often cause an instant overdose before you feel any other effects.
We are still learning about the long-term effects of nitazenes. The long-term effects may be similar to other opioids.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- relaxed, drowsy or detached
- confused
Effects on your brain and body
The effects of nitazenes can happen very quickly.
Nitazenes can cause:
- problems breathing
- unconsciousness
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (getting sick)
- dizziness and coordination problems
- lower blood pressure and heart rate
- death
Nitazenes and dependency
Regular use of nitazenes may cause:
- tolerance - you need to take more of a drug to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
Withdrawal symptoms
If you stop taking nitazenes after regular use, you may get withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms can include:
- nausea or vomiting
- muscle aches
- diarrhoea
- sweating and chills
- sleep problems
- mood swings
If you want to stop taking opioids, you can get support from:
- your GP or practice nurse
- a pharmacist
- a drug or alcohol service
Reducing risks from nitazenes
It’s always safest not to take drugs.
You cannot know the strength and contents of drugs in the illegal drug market. Your dealer does not always know exactly what is in the drugs they sell.
Tests on drugs in Ireland showed cases of nitazenes in drugs sold as:
- benzodiazepines
- other opioids, for example heroin
In other countries, there are cases of nitazenes in many types of drugs. If an extra risky drug is found in Ireland, we issue a drug alert.
Most people do not choose to use nitazenes. There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you use opioids. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Be with people you trust - use a buddy system if possible.
Do not use alone. Look out for each other.
Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.
This may be that you both agree to:
- learn the signs of an overdose
- use naloxone in an opioid emergency
- call the emergency services
- stay with the other person until help arrives
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency. The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small test amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using opioids with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Consider less risky ways of using if you inject opioids.
Injecting drugs increases the risk of overdose and can cause vein damage or infections.
Get and carry naloxone.
Naloxone is a prescription medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids. It can help prevent death from an overdose.
If you are at risk of an opioid overdose, you can get a naloxone kit through your GP or other services.
Give a naloxone kit to another person - this could be a family member, friend or someone who is around you when you use.
You may need to use an extra dose of naloxone if someone takes a nitazene.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of an overdose or drug emergency
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Check our drug alerts for extra risky drugs in Ireland.
We issue alerts if extra risky drugs are found in Ireland.
Follow us for updates on drug monitoring:
Mixing nitazenes with alcohol or other drugs
Using opioids with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects.
There is a high risk of overdose or death if you mix opioids with substances that slow down messages between the brain and the body.
For example:
- alcohol
- medicines such as benzodiazepines, methadone or pregabalin
- other opioids
- G (GHB or GBL)
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken a drug and has:
- lost consciousness
- problems breathing - they may make a snoring or gurgling sound
- cold and clammy skin - white skin may turn blue, black or brown skin may turn grey
- chest pain
Check if the person has naloxone.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about drug use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when drug use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Getting help can prevent overdose. You can contact a drug service even if you are not sure that you want to change your drug use. They can help you find ways to reduce your risk of harm.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie