How to Test for Nitazene

Nitazenes—2-Benzylbenzimidazole—are a class of highly potent synthetic opioids, found to be up to 1000 times more potent than morphine, with some variants significantly stronger than fentanyl. Nitazene analogs are increasingly being found mixed with, or falsely marketed as, heroin and counterfeit opioids, as well as non-opioid substances, creating a high risk of overdose for users who may be unknowingly exposed to these potent substances. 

Nitazenes have drawn increasing attention in the United States and other countries in recent years. Since 2019, their presence in the illicit drug market has been steadily rising. Emerging data indicates that nitazenes may be more potent than fentanyl and could require higher doses of naloxone to reverse an overdose. The same research found that several individuals who experienced nitazene-related overdoses were unaware that their drugs contained this substance.

Below are the concentrations of compounds (ng/mL) above which the Rapid Response Nitazene Test Strip (Liquid / Powder) identified positive.

• Isotonitazene — 2000 ng/ml 
• Protonitazene — 3000 ng/ml
• N-Pyrrolidono Etonitazene — 2000 ng/ml

Read the full instructions below to learn the proper testing methods and dilution ratios for testing nitazene. If you’re testing an opioid for xylazine too, these are the same dilution ratios!