Nitazines, a synthetic opioid, are being linked to a growing number of overdose deaths, and St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston said their potency is alarming…
“It can be 1,000 times more potent than morphine, a 100 time more potent than fentanyl, and it’s also a concern they’re relatively easily built from ingredients that can be obtained from different kinds of stores,” said Preston.
In the last few years, the use of nitazines has spiked in Louisiana and other parts of the country. But Preston said it’s hard to know just how many are linked to the drug that’s being created in illicit laboratories…
“These nitazines do not show up on our standard toxicology screens. Because they’re being developed quicker than the labs can develop the tests for them,” said Preston.
Preston said if they suspect someone has died from an overdose, but the toxicology is negative the case is sent to the DEA for further investigation for confirmation.
He said fentanyl test strips do not detect nitazines and if you do consume it, it could take multiple doses of Narcan to be revived.
“This is a new potent, dangerous substance circulating in our communities. My usual advice is if a medication didn’t come from the pharmacy, then don’t put it in your body,” said Preston.
Nitazines were developed in the 1950s but never received FDA approval because they can stop you from breathing.
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