A new threat has reached Oklahoma’s streets. Health officials say nitazenes — synthetic opioids up to nine times stronger than fentanyl — are now being detected in the state. Unlike other drugs, these compounds are so potent that even a trace can kill, often hidden inside counterfeit pills that look like familiar prescriptions. Law enforcement warns that people may take what they think is a Xanax or an Oxy-Contin and never wake up.
The danger is twofold. First, nitazenes are extraordinarily powerful: a few salt grains’ worth can stop breathing in minutes. Second, they’re nearly impossible for buyers to spot. Counterfeit pills and powders may look routine, but with nitazenes inside, the margin for survival is razor thin.
WHAT THEY ARE
Nitazenes are lab-made opioids that act on the same receptors as morphine, oxycodone, or fentanyl — only far stronger. Some analogs are 5 to 9 times stronger than fentanyl, and a few are reported to be up to 4,300 times stronger than morphine. Even seasoned users are at risk of instant overdose.
“They’re so potent that one dose of Narcan may not be enough,” the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics warned in a June advisory, calling nitazenes a threat to spark “a whole new wave” of overdoses in the state.
WHY THEY NEVER BECAME MEDICINE Nitazenes aren’t new. They were first created in the 1950s by the Swiss company Ciba during a search for new painkillers. On paper, they worked. In practice, they were far too dangerous.
- Thin margin: The line between pain relief and overdose was razor thin.
- No advantage: Morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl already filled the need for strong painkillers.
- Severe risks: The chance of fatal breathing problems outweighed any benefit.
- Timing: Regulators in the 1960s were clamping down on ultra-potent opioids.
As a result, nitazenes were shelved — until illicit chemists rediscovered the formulas.
WHY NOW?
So why is a drug abandoned 70 years ago showing up in Oklahoma today?
- Old formulas, easy access: Digital archives make the recipes simple to find.
- Fentanyl crackdown: As law enforcement pressures fentanyl networks, traffickers look for substitutes.
- Counterfeit pills: A tiny dose of nitazene can press thousands of fake pills.
- Testing blind spots: Routine toxicology doesn’t always detect nitazenes, so they can spread undetected.
- Street spin: Nicknames like ISO or Pyro make them sound new and exotic.
Narcan still works — but you may need more Rumors say nitazenes are “Narcan resistant.” That’s not true. Naloxone (Narcan) still reverses opioid overdoses, including nitazenes. The difference is that with drugs this strong, it often takes multiple doses before breathing returns.
The situation gets trickier when nitazenes are mixed with sedatives like medetomidine or xylazine. Narcan can’t reverse those drugs, which means recovery may appear slow even after the opioid is treated. Still, giving Narcan quickly — and repeating if needed — remains the best chance to save a life.
HOW THEY’RE SOLD
- In powder or counterfeit pills pressed to look like Oxy-Contin, Xanax, or other medications.
- Not detected by standard fentanyl test strips.
- Easy to miss on routine toxicology, making them harder to track in overdose deaths.
THE OKLAHOMA PICTURE State agents say nitazenes are now on their radar. Even a small batch can flood a community with deadly counterfeit pills.
What to do in a suspected overdose - Call 911 immediately. Oklahoma’s Good Samaritan law protects those seeking help.
- Give naloxone (Narcan). If no response in 2–3 minutes, repeat.
- Watch for signs: slow or stopped breathing, pinpoint pupils, bluish lips, unresponsiveness.
WHERE TO GET NARCAN LOCALLY - OK I’m Ready (state program): free naloxone and fentanyl test strips by mail.
- Pharmacies statewide: naloxone available without a prescription.
- Local health departments and outreach groups: free kits available in many communities.
SWODA’S MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY While sobriety is always the ultimate goal, SWODA reminds residents that no one can recover if they don’t survive an overdose. For people who are currently using drugs, the advice is simple: - Do not use alone. - Keep multiple doses of naloxone (Narcan) on hand, and make sure those around you know how to use it.
- If naloxone is administered, call 911 immediately, since these synthetic opioids may outlast the medicine.
Naloxone is free and widely available through SWODA’s vending machines across western Oklahoma, with new machines being placed this week in Carnegie and Mangum. Each box includes a list of treatment and recovery options. More resources can be found at www.swoda.org under the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery tab, or by calling or texting 988.
“Our ultimate goal is to save as many people as possible from the grip of addiction,” SWODA said.
BOTTOM LINE
Nitazenes are old lab experiments turned street killers. They were too dangerous for medicine in the 1950s — and today, they’re even more dangerous in the hands of traffickers. They aren’t Narcan-proof, but they can take multiple doses to reverse.
For Oklahoma families, the message is simple: be aware, stock Narcan, and talk about counterfeit pills. One wrong pill can be fatal — and with nitazenes in the mix, the risk has never been higher.
