The Rise and Fall of Isotonitazene and Brorphine: 2 Recent Stars in the New Synthetic Opioid Firmament

Vandeputte MM, Krotulski AJ, Papsun DM, Logan BK, Stove CP

Society of Forensic Toxicology- 2021 Conference Meeting

Synthetic opioids constitute one of the fastest-growing groups of NPS worldwide. With fentanyl analogues being increasingly controlled via classwide scheduling, many non-fentanyl-related opioids are now emerging. Amid this highly dynamic opioid landscape, some recent patterns have become apparent.

The typical life cycle of an NPS opioid is generally short (6-12 months). Here, we summarize the key events in the life cycles of isotonitazene and brorphine, 2 opioids that sequentially dominated the NPS opioid market in 2019 and 2020.
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