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Surge in Deadly Nitazenes as Fentanyl Listings Decline

10/10/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Sales of nitazenes on the dark web are rising as fentanyl listings decline.
Nitazenes, developed in the 1950s but never approved for medical use, can be up to 500 times more potent.
Since 2019, nitazene-related overdoses have occurred in the United Kingdom (179 deaths) and in the United States in the thousands.
Overdoses occur when nitazenes are disguised as other substances; increased naloxone access could mitigate risks.

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Story summary

Sales of nitazenes on the dark web are rising as fentanyl listings decline.
Nitazenes, developed in the 1950s but never approved for medical use, can be up to 500 times more potent.
Since 2019, nitazene-related overdoses have occurred in the United Kingdom (179 deaths) and in the United States in the thousands.
Overdoses occur when nitazenes are disguised as other substances; increased naloxone access could mitigate risks.