metonitazene

English

Etymology

From nitazene. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

metonitazene (uncountable)

1. (pharmacology) A potent synthetic opioid analgesic of the nitazene group, used as an illicit drug.
   • 2021, Marthe M. VandeputteKatleen Van Uytfangheet al., “Synthesis, Chemical Characterization, and μ‑Opioid Receptor Activity Assessment of the Emerging Group of “Nitazene” 2‑Benzylbenzimidazole Synthetic Opioids”, in ACS Chemical Neuroscience, volume 12, number 7, →DOI, page 1242:

     Recent chatter on drug fora indeed points at a renewed interest in these “nitazene” 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids, and their (online) availability seems to be increasing. Metonitazene, for example, was recently found in seized material in the U.S.,⁴¹ where its appearance seems to be growing.⁴²

   • 2022 December 24, Noah Weiland, “A High-Tech Strategy for Keeping Drug Users Safe: Analyzing Their Fentanyl”, in The New York Times‎^[1]:

     Harm reduction groups in the area had been unaware of a potentially dangerous opioid, metonitazene, that surfaced in the sample, he said. Weeks later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report about the substance, an indication of how drug checking can offer timely warnings for users.