Isobutyrylfentanyl Explained
Isobutyrylfentanyl is an opioid analgesic that is an analog of fentanyl and has been sold online as a designer drug.[1] It is believed to be around the same potency as butyrfentanyl[2] but has been less widely distributed on illicit markets, though it was one of the earliest of the "new wave" of fentanyl derivatives to appear, and was reported in Europe for the first time in December 2012.[3]
Side effects
Side effects of fentanyl analogs are similar to those of fentanyl itself, which include itching, nausea and potentially serious respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. Fentanyl analogs have killed hundreds of people throughout Europe and the former Soviet republics since the most recent resurgence in use began in Estonia in the early 2000s, and novel derivatives continue to appear.[4] A new wave of fentanyl analogues and associated deaths began in around 2014 in the US, and have continued to grow in prevalence; especially since 2016 these drugs have been responsible for hundreds of overdose deaths every week.[5]
Legal status
Isobutyrylfentanyl is a Schedule I controlled drug in the USA since 1 February 2018.[6]
See also
Notes and References
- Giorgetti A, Centola C, Giorgetti R . Fentanyl novel derivative-related deaths . Human Psychopharmacology . 32 . 3 . e2605 . May 2017 . 28635020 . 10.1002/hup.2605 . free .
- Higashikawa Y, Suzuki S . Studies on 1-(2-phenethyl)-4-(N-propionylanilino)piperidine (fentanyl) and its related compounds. VI. Structure-analgesic activity relationship for fentanyl, methyl-substituted fentanyls and other analogues. Forensic Toxicology. 26. 1. 2008. 1–5. 1860-8965. 10.1007/s11419-007-0039-1. 22092512.
- http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/734/EMCDDA-Europol_2012_Annual_Report_final_439477.pdf Europol 2012 Annual Report on the implementation of Council Decision 2005/387/JHA
- Mounteney J, Giraudon I, Denissov G, Griffiths P . Fentanyls: Are we missing the signs? Highly potent and on the rise in Europe . The International Journal on Drug Policy . 26 . 7 . 626–631 . July 2015 . 25976511 . 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.04.003 .
- Armenian P, Vo KT, Barr-Walker J, Lynch KL . Fentanyl, fentanyl analogs and novel synthetic opioids: A comprehensive review . Neuropharmacology . 134 . Pt A . 121–132 . May 2018 . 29042317 . 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.10.016 . 21404877 .
- News: Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Seven Fentanyl-Related Substances in Schedule I. Federal Register. 1 February 2018.
