From csfre labs: The following information was compiled in December 2023 and is subject to change as new research is conducted and as new information becomes available:
Description: ortho-Methylfentanyl is a novel synthetic opioid bearing structural resemblance to fentanyl. In November 2023, ortho-methylfentanyl was detected for the first time at our laboratory. “Methylfentanyl” exists in three isomeric forms: ortho-, meta-, and para-methylfentanyl. The position of the methyl group was confirmed during analysis in comparison to standard reference materials acquired for orthomethylfentanyl, ortho-methyl 4-ANPP (its precursor/intermediate and suspected metabolite), and others.
Demographics / Geographics: Toxicology specimens originated from British Colombia, Canada. In two cases, ortho-methylfentanyl was identified alongside the NPS benzodiazepine bromazolam.