What Makes ISO More Dangerous Than Fentanyl?
The fentanyl crisis continues to claim lives across the country, with the dangerous and potent opioid causing brain damage from drug overdoses and deaths. But many people don’t know that there’s something much more substantial and even more dangerous than fentanyl and that this new type of synthetic opioid known as ISO drugs could quickly escalate the problem and take more lives. Nitazenes, these synthetic opioids that are now found in America as well, are a new threat to the health and safety of people.
Table of contents
» What Are ISO (Isotonitazene) and Other Nitazenes?
» How Potent Is ISO Compared to Fentanyl?
» What Are the Overdose Risks Associated With ISO?
» Is ISO Easy to Detect in Street Drugs?
» Key Takeaways on ISO Drugs
» Resources
What Are ISO (Isotonitazene) and Other Nitazenes?
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids have become the leading cause of fatal drug overdoses in the United States, and these deaths also include lives lost due to the different types of fentanyl derivatives. Still, there is an entirely different and even more dangerous type of synthetic opioid that can now be found across the world: Nitazenes. This class of synthetic opioids was first developed in the 1950s for use as a pain reliever, but they were found to have a high potency and abuse potential, and they were never actually approved to be used by doctors.
Nitazenes were basically unheard of, other than by researchers studying opioids, up until 2019, when they first appeared as a street drug in Europe. In recent years, it’s spread across the globe, and there are at least 13 types of nitazenes so far. The most popular one, isotonitazene, is better known as ISO. Many other nitazenes have become prevalent as well. Their legal status varies across the world, though many countries, including the United States, consider them to be restricted substances.
Even though they’re not legal, they’re starting to be found more often, including in some cases as an additive in fentanyl that the user didn’t know they were taking. Because these drugs can be much stronger than even fentanyl, the risk of an accidental drug overdose or death can become even higher.
One important thing to understand about nitazenes is that they are very new to the scene, and that means there hasn’t been time for extensive studies of the extent of the problem and how prevalent they truly have become on the drug market.
Still, there is some research and stories out there about the drugs and their true impact. One study suggested that at least 200 overdose deaths in 2020-2021 were due to nitazenes in Europe and North America. Another study said 93 people died in 2022, with most of those deaths recorded in the United States.
How Potent Is ISO Compared to Fentanyl?
ISO drugs and other nitazenes are incredibly potent—much more so, in fact, than even fentanyl in many cases. The strength of these drugs varies from substance to substance, with some said to be multitudes stronger than fentanyl. The latest research paints a surprisingly extreme picture of just how much more powerful these drugs really can be:
- Butonitazenes and etodesnitazenes: 25 percent to 50 percent as potent as fentanyl.
- Isonitazene (ISO): 5 to 9 times stronger than fentanyl.
- N-pyrrolidino protonitazenes: 25 times stronger than fentanyl.
- N-pyrrolidino etonitazenes: 43 times stronger than fentanyl.
To put it into perspective, keep in mind that fentanyl is already 50 to 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which means these drugs that are much stronger than fentanyl are dangerously potent opioids. The most common nitazene, ISO, is as much as 250 to 900 times stronger than morphine, and the most powerful type of nitazene is as much as 4,300 times stronger than morphine.
What Are the Overdose Risks Associated With ISO?
If you’re wondering about the overdose risks of overdose risks and other ISO drugs, as well as dangerous drug combinations with strong synthetic opioids, they’re going to be even higher than incredibly potent opioids like fentanyl, heroin, or morphine. That means even a tiny amount of ISO or another nitazene could lead to a fatal drug overdose.
One big problem is that things like ISO are now sometimes added with other opioids or drugs, and the buyer has no way of knowing if their dealer is selling them something that’s laced with a life-threatening amount of nitazenes.
Overdose symptoms can include things like:
- Labored, shallow breathing, or slow breathing.
- A blue tint to fingertips and lips.
- Losing consciousness and not being able to wake them up.
- Not responding to sounds, shaking, etc.
If you suspect someone is overdosing on ISO or nitazene, it’s vital to get help as soon as possible. Call 911 right away, and follow their instructions. Because nitazenes can be much more potent than opioids or even fentanyl, it’s not known if a standard dose of naloxone is enough to reverse an overdose. Still, it could be a way of responding to an emergency if an overdose is happening. It’s also essential to stay with them until the paramedics arrive and follow any instructions from the 911 dispatcher.
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Is ISO Easy to Detect in Street Drugs?
Because ISO drugs are nitazenes, a different type of synthetic opioid, the reality is that it can be impossible to detect their presence in other drugs. Unfortunately, standard drug tests won’t be able to detect it, and only specialized methods will work.
This is why there’s a much higher risk of overdose—in addition to being undetectable in other drugs, they’re even stronger than fentanyl, and that can add up to a fatal overdose in a hurry. Without knowing the person is possibly on something like ISO, medical workers might not even catch the overdose. This same problem that makes it difficult for emergency medical responders to keep up with also confronts law enforcement officers, who might struggle to figure out what caused the overdose that they’re responding to.
Key Takeaways on ISO Drugs
- ISO drugs and other nitazenes are an emerging danger on the U.S. drug market.
- This type of synthetic opioid can be highly potent.
- In some cases, nitazenes can be as much as 43 times as strong as fentanyl.
- ISO and other nitazenes have an extremely high risk of misuse, addiction, and serious health problems like fatal overdoses.
- Professional addiction treatment for opioid use disorder can help people overcome addiction to these potent drugs.
ISO is the latest opioid to make headlines, and for good reason. This drug is extremely potent, and other nitazenes similar to it can be many times stronger than even fentanyl. If you or a loved one is using drugs that could or are tainted by new synthetic opioids like ISO, it’s only a matter of time until lives are endangered.
However, the good news is help is available at WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Treatment that can help you overcome addiction to opioids like nitazenes and learn to embrace long-lasting recovery. We’re ready to help you get started today—just call us at 877-855-3470 to learn how to take your first step toward a better future.
Resources
- Organization of States – Information Bulletin: The Emergence of Nitazenes in the Americas
- Drug Enforcement Administration – Isotonitazene
- National Library of Medicine – Old Drugs and New Challenges: A Narrative Review of Nitazenes
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
