A new wave of synthetic opioids, distinct from fentanyls and nitazenes, is emerging in forensic samples. Also known as piperidinylbenzimidazolones, these novel synthetic opioids now referred to as orphines were initially developed for their anesthetic and antitussive properties. This NPS Snapshot summarizes the structures of orphine-related NPS, naming conventions, as well as key historical dates and known pharmacology.

To cite this NPS snapshot: Iula, D.M., St. Germaine, D.M., and Layle, N.K. NPS snapshot: orphines. Cayman Chemical (September 2025).