metonitazene

Noun

metonitazene (uncountable)

1. A potent synthetic opioid analgesic of the nitazene group, used as an illicit drug.
   • 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.⁴²2021, Marthe M. Vandeputte, Katleen Van Uytfanghe, et al., “Synthesis, Chemical Characterization, and μ‑Opioid Receptor Activity Assessment of the Emerging Group of “Nitazene” 2‑Benzylbenzimidazole...
   • 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...2022 December 24, Noah Weiland, “A High-Tech Strategy for Keeping Drug Users Safe: Analyzing Their Fentanyl”, in The New York Times