Updated October 2025

Nitazenes are one of several types of novel analgesics developed in the 20th century as potential alternatives to traditional opiates. Since first appearing on the illicit market in 2018, several novel 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids have emerged as novel psychoactive substances (NPS). These compounds are structurally different from fentanyl and most are not well characterized, but some have been reported to cause physiological effects similar to heroin, fentanyl, and other opioids. Dozens of nitazene analogs have now been identified in circulation across the world, further complicating efforts to monitor and understand their pharmacological profiles. This NPS Snapshot summarizes structures of various nitazene compounds as well as key historical dates, prototypical structure, and known pharmacology.

Learn more in our recent webinar: Making a splash: Nitazenes and Orphines, the latest wave of opioid NPS.

To cite this NPS snapshot: Iula, D.M., St. Germaine, D.M., and Layle, N.K. NPS snapshot: nitazenes. Cayman Chemical (September 2020).