A 20-year-old man from Nedre Romerike recently died of an overdose of the deadly drug protonitazen.
The substance, which is a so-called synthetic opioid, can be taken in many different ways, including as a nasal spray.
Even a small dose of the drug can be life-threatening.
– The police’s concern is that there may be one or more batches of this substance in Norway, and that it could lead to further overdoses, says police chief Vegard Brustad to TV 2.
Because no one knows where it comes from.
SMALL DOSES: Until now, the narcotic drug fentanyl has been referred to as one of the strongest, but the new drug protonitazen is even more dangerous. Photo: David Maialetti / NTB.
Does not exclude production in Norway
The police are clear that the concern is based on a hypothesis, and not on specific uncovered cases, because there is very little information about the distribution of the dangerous substance.
– Where the substance is produced is unknown. There are no indications that it is produced in Norway, but it cannot be ruled out either, says Brustad.
So far, the police have only uncovered two cases in Norway, but the health authorities fear further spread of protonitazen.
– It is a frightening possibility that someone is now sitting on a stock of this drug that they intend to sell in Norway, says senior physician Sigurd Hortemo at the Norwegian Medicines Agency to TV 2.
Rapid tests do not detect the protonitase
Oslo University Hospital recently warned against protonitazen and notified the National Treatment Service for CBRNE medicine, which wants people in Norway to be aware of the dangerous substance.
– These are life-threatening incidents, writes the centre.
The extremely potent opioid is not detected by usual analytical methods.
– How difficult will it be to uncover a possible increase in this in Norway?
– It is challenging that rapid tests do not pick up the substance, says Hortemo, and adds:
– Unfortunately, it is the case that increased use will most likely show up in reports of serious overdoses.
Therefore, health authorities have published advice on how to treat poisoning for use by people who buy and use opioids.
Facts about protonitazen in Norway
- Protonitazen is a synthetic opioid that is not in clinical use, but is sold illegally.
- It is highly potent, meaning that a small dose can cause life-threatening effects such as respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest.
- The substance is not detected by normal analytical methods.
- The substance can be taken in many different ways, including as a nasal spray, and does not need to be labeled correctly.
- Users should not take drugs alone, but be with someone.
- Repeated dosing in the event of a lack of effect increases the risk of overdose, i.e. you first take one dose and after a short time another.
Source: National CBRNE Medicine Treatment Service
Not clinically produced in Norway
“Protonitazen is considered to be several times more potent than fentanyl. Even a very small dose can cause serious life-threatening poisoning with CNS depression, respiratory depression and cardiac arrest,” it is written on the Health Library’s website.
– It was developed as a possible medicine, but it was never put into use, says senior doctor Hortemo, adding that the Norwegian Medicines Agency strongly advises against its use.
The dangerous substance is therefore sold illegally in Norway, either over the internet from abroad or through street sales.
– Protonitazen can be taken in many different ways, including as a nasal spray, and can be labeled as something else. The time before intoxication takes effect is approximately 20 minutes with nasal administration and up to 1.5 hours with oral intake, writes the Health Library further.
SCARY: Sigurd Hortemo, senior physician at the Norwegian Medicines Agency, says that Protonitazem is very potent and much more powerful than fentanyl. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB.
– High attention to the material
The danger is that more people take a new dose due to the late effect time, which in turn can lead to overdose and death.
– The police’s experience with similar types of substance is that these are substances that are unattractive in the user environment due to the high risk of overdose. The greatest danger potential is probably that users ingest the substance without knowing what it is, says Police Chief Constable Brustad.
– This is always a risk when you buy unknown substances, whether online or on the street. The substance may be sold as something else, and sellers may also be unaware of what the substance contains.
Brustad nevertheless says that it is not an extensive problem at the present time.
So far, the deadly substance has not been seized in the border control either, the Customs Agency confirms to TV 2.
– The customs authorities pay close attention to this substance. Any drug seizure is routinely reported to the police, says senior communications adviser at the Customs Agency, Thore Simenstad, to TV 2.
Leo Ajkic investigates the deadly drug fentanyl.
Tags: Protonitazen Norway Fears large stock lifethreatening drug
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