What is Isotonitazene?: A New Dangerous Factor in the Opioid Crisis

Fentanyl has been the Big Bad Demon in the news in recent times as a silent and deadly killer in the drug epidemic. Fentanyl’s crown has been snatched by an even more powerful and deadly designer drug – Isotonitazine. Isotonitazene is a new and powerful synthetic opioid that’s been popping up more and more. It’s often sold on the black market, sometimes disguised as other drugs or mixed with substances like heroin, making it nearly impossible for users to know what they’re actually consuming. This is part of why isotonitazene has been linked to a surge in overdose deaths, leaving health experts and law enforcement scrambling to understand and respond to its dangers.

What makes isotonitazene so concerning is its strength, how hard it is to detect, and how tiny traces are so easily mixed into other substances. In this blog, we’ll dive into what isotonitazene is, how it fits into the larger opioid crisis, and why it’s crucial to understand its dangers. The rise of this substance is a serious issue, and raising awareness could help prevent more lives from being lost to its deadly effects.

What Is Isotonitazene? Is It A Medication Or A Designer Drug?

Isotonitazene is a synthetic opioid that falls into the category of designer drugs, which are substances made to mimic the effects of prescription medications but often come with much greater risks. It is not a legal medication or something your doctor would ever prescribe you. Isotonitazene has been showing up on the black market, often sold as a street drug or mixed with other substances like heroin. Its chemical structure is similar to fentanyl, but it is far more potent, meaning even tiny amounts can have serious effects, including overdose.

The problem with isotonitazene is that it’s often sold illegally, and many times users don’t even know it’s in the drugs they’re taking. This makes it especially dangerous, as people may not be prepared for its strength, and this raises the risks of fatal overdoses. Unlike prescribed opioids, isotonitazene has no medical use, which is why it’s considered a designer drug, i.e. a substance created to bypass regulations and provide a more intense high, but with deadly consequences.

What Are Some Signs And Symptoms Of Isotonitazene Addiction?

Isotonitazene addiction can develop quickly due to the drug’s potency, and it’s important to recognize the signs early to get help.

• Intense Cravings: A strong, sometimes uncontrollable urge to use isotonitazene, even if you person know it’s harmful.
• Increased Tolerance: Needing higher doses of isotonitazene to feel the same effects, which often leads to taking dangerously large amounts.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, sweating, muscle aches, or mood swings when not using the drug.
• Neglecting Responsibilities: Ignoring work, school, or personal responsibilities due to drug use, prioritizing it above all else.
• Isolation: Withdrawing from friends and family, often to hide drug use or avoid being questioned about it.
• Mood Changes: Frequent irritability, anxiety, or depression, often triggered by the effects of the drug or withdrawal.
• Physical Symptoms: Feeling drowsy, experiencing slowed breathing, or having a “nodding off” effect when using the drug.
• Risky Behaviors: Engaging in dangerous activities to obtain or use the drug, such as buying from unregulated sources or mixing it with other substances.

Why Does Isotonitazene Pose A Higher Risk Of Overdose Compared To Other Opioids?

Isotonitazene poses a higher risk of overdose compared to other opioids because it’s incredibly potent and much stronger than drugs like heroin or prescription painkillers. Just a small amount can cause serious harm. Because it’s often mixed with other substances, users might not even realize how much isotonitazene they’re taking. This makes it easy to accidentally overdose, especially if they’re not used to such a powerful opioid.

Another reason that isotonitazene is so dangerous is that it works very quickly in the body. It affects the brain’s opioid receptors in a way that can rapidly slow down breathing, a side effect that can be deadly if not treated right away. Unlike fentanyl, which is already known for its potency, isotonitazene can be even more unpredictable and harder to detect, making it much riskier for anyone who comes into contact with it. This combination of strength and unpredictability makes it a serious threat to public health.

What Is The Correlation Between Iso-Fentanyl And Overdose?

Iso-fentanyl, like isotonitazene, is a synthetic opioid that shares many similarities with fentanyl but is often even more potent. The correlation between iso-fentanyl and overdose lies in its strength. Even a tiny amount of iso-fentanyl can cause a fatal overdose. Since it’s often mixed with other drugs, users can accidentally consume much more than they intended, increasing the risk of respiratory depression and overdose.

This potent drug can cause the same dangerous effects as fentanyl, such as slowing or stopping breathing, which is a leading cause of death in opioid overdoses. Iso-fentanyl is difficult to detect, and it can be disguised in other substances, making it hard for users to gauge the risks. Because of its extreme potency and the ease with which it can lead to overdose, iso-fentanyl is a major concern in the ongoing opioid crisis.

What Are The Overdose Symptoms Of Iso Fentanyl?

Overdosing on iso-fentanyl can happen quickly because of how powerful the drug is, and it’s crucial to recognize the symptoms early. Some general symptoms of an Iso Fentanyl overdose are:

Why Is Isotonitazene Harder To Detect And Control?

Isotonitazene is harder to detect and control because it’s a synthetic opioid that’s chemically designed to be difficult to trace. Unlike more well-known drugs like heroin or fentanyl, isotonitazene isn’t typically included in standard drug tests, which makes it harder for authorities or medical professionals to identify when someone has overdosed or is using it. It’s also often mixed with other substances, like heroin or counterfeit pills, so users may not even know they’re taking it, making detection even trickier.

Another challenge is that isotonitazene is incredibly potent, meaning just a tiny amount can cause serious effects. This makes it harder for law enforcement and health officials to control its distribution and use, especially since it’s often sold under different names or disguised as something else. Because it’s not widely known or tested for, it slips under the radar, making it more difficult to prevent or address the risks associated with its use. The combination of its strength, the lack of widespread testing, and its availability on the black market makes isotonitazene a major challenge to manage and overcome.

How Is Isotonitazene Making Its Way Into Communities?

Isotonitazene is making its way into communities primarily through the black market, where it’s sold as a substitute for more common opioids like heroin or fentanyl. Since it’s a synthetic drug, it’s often produced in illegal labs and sold online or through dealers. People might not even know they’re buying isotonitazene, as it can be mixed with other substances or disguised as counterfeit pills. This makes it difficult to detect, especially when it’s mixed with common street drugs.

The rise of isotonitazene in communities is also fueled by its potency. It is incredibly strong, so dealers may push it as a cheaper alternative to other opioids. Unfortunately, this comes with a huge risk: its strength increases the chance of accidental overdose. Since it’s often found mixed with other drugs, users are unknowingly exposing themselves to much higher doses than they can handle. As it spreads in communities, it’s creating a silent but deadly threat.

Recent Opioid Statistics for California

Below are some recent opioid statistics for the state of California:

1. Overdose Death Rates: In 2022, almost 7,000 opioid overdose deaths were reported in California, with fentanyl implicated in over 90% of these cases. Synthetic opioids (fentanyl in particular) continue to lead the pack in fatal overdoses across the state.
2. Spike in Synthetic Opioid Fatalities: Between 2017 and 2021, synthetic opioid-related deaths skyrocketed by over 1,000%. By 2021, overdose deaths from synthetic opioids reached a rate of 15.5 per 100,000 residents, showing how widespread the problem has become.
3. Age Groups Most Affected: Overdose rates are highest among Californians in their 20s and 30s, largely involving synthetic opioids. The number of overdose deaths among teens aged 15-19 jumped by 380% from 2017 to 2021, and those aged 20-29 saw a 166% increase.
4. State Action and Funding: California is investing $8 million into community-based programs for education, recovery, and new laws targeting the harms of dangerous substances like fentanyl and xylazine, a sedative now found in overdose cases. These efforts are aimed at reducing fatalities and supporting those affected by opioid addiction.

Opioid Addiction Recovery at Westwind Recovery® in Los Angeles, CA

Opioid addiction recovery at Westwind Recovery® offers a supportive environment where you can take the first steps toward healing. With a dedicated team of professionals, Westwind Recovery® helps individuals regain control of their lives through personalized treatment plans. Whether you’re dealing with opioid addiction like heroin or prescription painkillers, or synthetic opioids like fentanyl or isotonitazene, we provide you with the tools and resources you need to break free from the cycle of addiction.

The road to recovery is never easy, but we create a safe space to work through challenges at your own pace. We offer a mix of addiction therapy, support groups, and aftercare services, so you’re never alone on your journey. With a focus on long-term recovery, we help build a foundation for a healthier, more fulfilling future, free from the grip of opioid addiction. If you or someone you care about is ready to take control, contact us today and let Westwind Recovery® help you make that important change.