N-Desethyl Isotonitazene, N-ethyl-2-[2-[(4-isopropoxyphenyl)methyl]-5-nitro-benzimidazol1-yl]ethanamine, is classified as a novel opioid of the 2-benzyl benzimidazole sub-class and is structurally dissimilar from fentanyl.
Novel opioids have been reported to cause psychoactive effects similar to heroin, fentanyl, and other opioids. Novel opioids have also caused adverse events, including death.
N-Desethyl Isotonitazene is a known metabolite of isotonitazene; however, it is now being manufactured and distributed as a parent drug on its own, which has been observed through sales on online gray market sites and demonstrated through the detection of this drug without isotonitazene in drug materials.
Etonitazene and its analogue synthetic opioids were first synthesized and reported in the literature in the 1950s. Data suggest that this group of analogues can have potency similar to or greater than fentanyl. Structurally similar drugs include isotonitazene and other nitazene analogues. N-Desethyl Isotonitazene is not explicitly scheduled in the United States; however, etonitazene, isotonitazene, and other nitazene analogues are designated as Schedule I substances.
October 25, 2023 – DEA Temporary placement of N-desethyl isotonitazene and N-piperidinyl etonitazene in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act
July 2024 Alert from the NDEWS Web Monitoring Team: Reddit online mentions of N-desethyl isotonitazene:
What is N-desethyl isotonitazene? N-desethyl isotonitazene is a highly potent synthetic opioid in the nitazene class, closely related to isotonitazene. It is reported to be approximately 20 times more potent than fentanyl, according to an in vitro study.
What was found? Analysis of online discussions indicates that N-desethyl isotonitazene emerged on Reddit in November 2022. A significant spike in interest and discussion occurred from October 2023 to January 2024. As of April 2024, another upward trend in discussions has begun to emerge.
How is it being discussed? Online discussions revolve around subjective effects preferable to other nitazenes, as well as particular mentions of a preference for N-desethyl isotonitazene over street fentanyl. Commenters describe finding the substance in pressed pills, and several commenters recommend volumetric dosing as opposed to ingesting the pills directly. Reddit users warn about the substance’s extreme potency, strong addictive potential, and high risk of overdose.
Expert Insight: NDEWS Co-Investigator Dr. Bruce Goldberger provided the following information regarding N-desethyl isotonitazene: N-desethyl isotonitazene, also known as ISO, is a potent synthetic opioid (nitazene analogue) with the potential to cause profound depression of the central nervous system. N-desethyl isotonitazene is a metabolite of isotonitazene but also found as a drug on its own and is approximately 20-times more potent than fentanyl. It has been identified in non-fatal and fatal overdoses, most often in combination with other drugs including fentanyl. The analysis of body fluids and tissues for N-desethyl isotonitazene is challenging due to typically low concentration.
Drug Terms: N-desethyl isotonitazene, Norisotonitazene, N-des-iso