Isotonitazepyne has been detected in a counterfeit pill in Los Angeles

Isotonitazepyne, a synthetic opioid stronger than fentanyl, was recently identified through our lab in two counterfeit oxycodone "M30" pills. To our knowledge, this marks the first documented detection of isotonitazepyne in Los Angeles.

Any sample we receive of a suspected opioid (such as fentanyl, heroin, or oxycodone) will continue to be tested with nitazene test strips and sent to the lab for secondary confirmatory testing. All illicit opioids should be considered high-risk for nitazene adulteration.

While the samples we tested were true positives on both nitazene test strips, we are still working with the lab to evaluate their accuracy and performance in the field. If you're interested in nitazene test strips or have a suspected nitazene sample, let us know!

The two samples verified to contain isotonitazepyne were believed to be "M30" oxycodone pills. However, given the visual appearance of the pill, these did not appear to be legitimate pharmaceuticals. These two pills were obtained in the San Fernando Valley and were reportedly sold for approximately half the typical street price of oxycodone.

Lab-based analysis confirmed isotonitazepyne as the sole active compound in these pills. As a result, fentanyl or opiate test strips would not have indicated anything out of the ordinary, despite the pills containing a highly potent opioid. Isotonitazepyne is an emerging substance and could represent a serious risk for overdose.

Isotonitazepyne—also known as "N-pyrrolidino isotonitazene"—first appeared in the illicit drug supply in 2024 with detections reported in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and several U.S. states. It belongs to the nitazene class, a group of synthetic opioids that may be up to 1,000 times more potent than morphine and approximately 10 times stronger than fentanyl. Isotonitazepyne has been detected in overdose deaths globally, but studies have not been conducted in humans.

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