Opioids
Protonitazene
Street names: Protonitazene, Propynyl nitazene
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- ~3× fentanyl potency by weight — deep, long sedation
⚠Key risks
- Increasing US forensic identifications 2022–2025
- Mass-overdose batches; naloxone needs multiple doses
- Urine screens miss it
- Found in counterfeit oxycodone and 'heroin' alike
✚Overdose signs
- Immediate respiratory arrest
- Pinpoint pupils, cyanosis
- Re-overdose risk as naloxone fades
📋Quick facts
Also known asProtonitazene, Propynyl nitazene
CategoryOpioids
Schedule / classSchedule I (US, 2022)
AppearanceWhite/yellow powder or counterfeit pills
Street priceContaminant/adulterant pricing
Legal statusSchedule I US; controlled EU/UK/CA
Last updated2026-09-18
Sources: DEA, NIDA, EMCDDA
Category comparison — Opioids
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protonitazene | Schedule I | Increasing US forensic identifications 2022–2025; Mass-overdose batches; naloxone needs multiple doses | Contaminant/adulterant pricing |
| Metonitazene | Schedule I | Drove 2021 US east-coast overdose waves; detected in 'dope' and counterfeit pills; Standard drug screens miss it — hospitals often don't know what reversed them | Mixed into bags — no separate street price |
| Etonitazene | Schedule I | ~10–25× fentanyl potency; Active at sub-milligram doses — nearly impossible to dose safely | ~$40–$100/g |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Protonitazene look like?
White/yellow powder or counterfeit pills
What are the signs of a Protonitazene overdose?
Immediate respiratory arrest; Pinpoint pupils, cyanosis; Re-overdose risk as naloxone fades Call emergency services immediately and give naloxone if available — it reverses opioid overdoses.
How addictive is it?
Increasing US forensic identifications 2022–2025 Dependence can develop with regular use.