Detection and characterisation of a new nitazene analogue, butodesnitazene: A collaborative approach to the identification of novel psychoactive substances through Drug Checking
Open accessAbstract
The presence of novel psychoactive substances in international drug markets has become commonplace. Misrepresentation of illicit drugs is also common, leading to initiatives such as Drug Checking, which aim to reduce drug-related harm by providing scientific testing of unknown substances. Drug Checking is legal in New Zealand and has led to numerous detections of potentially dangerous substances circulating in the community, including nitazenes which are highly potent synthetic opioids. This paper describes the detection and characterisation of a novel nitazene analogue, butodesnitazene, which had been sold as heroin and subsequently submitted for Drug Checking in Auckland, New Zealand. Analysis methods used by chemistry laboratories and those suited to in-field analysis have been utilised to provide guidance to enable future detections. This is the second novel drug detection in recent months in New Zealand that has arisen from Drug Checking. This highlights the benefits of this legalised service in reducing drug-related harm through increased public awareness of potentially dangerous drugs and drug trends.
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The shift toward disguised pharmaceutical products expands the population at risk to include people who would not otherwise be at risk.
“This shift toward disguised pharmaceutical products represents a major public health concern that expands the population at risk that would not have otherwise be at risk [45, 46].”
From Novel 2-Benzylbenzimidazole Opioids: Emerging Drugs of Abuse and Pharmacological Considerations with Nitazene Analogs (2026) · cites this paper as [45]
Counterfeit pills broaden the exposure profile to synthetic opioids beyond traditional drug-using populations, including adolescents and recreational users who believe they are consuming legitimate medications.
“These pills broaden the exposure profile to synthetic opioids beyond traditional drug using populations, which includes adolescents and recreational users who are under the impression they are consuming legitimate medications [45].”
From Novel 2-Benzylbenzimidazole Opioids: Emerging Drugs of Abuse and Pharmacological Considerations with Nitazene Analogs (2026) · cites this paper as [45]
High potency, unintentional exposure, and delayed detection contribute to the high mortality risk of nitazenes.
“The high potency, combined with unintentional exposure and a delay in detection contribute to its high mortality risk [45].”
From Novel 2-Benzylbenzimidazole Opioids: Emerging Drugs of Abuse and Pharmacological Considerations with Nitazene Analogs (2026) · cites this paper as [45]
Nitazenes are increasingly associated with overdose deaths across multiple regions, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Australia, and the United States.
“Public health wise, nitazenes are increasingly associated with overdose deaths across multiple regions, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Australia, and the United States [45].”
From Novel 2-Benzylbenzimidazole Opioids: Emerging Drugs of Abuse and Pharmacological Considerations with Nitazene Analogs (2026) · cites this paper as [45]
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The use of presumptive color tests for new psychoactive substances
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Nitazene test strips: a laboratory evaluation
De Vrieze, L. M., Stove, C. P., & Vandeputte, M. M. (2024) · Harm Reduction Journal · doi:10.1186/s12954-024-01078-8 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Drug checking in New Zealand: the 2020 and 2021 drug and substance checking legislation acts
Hutton, F. (2022) · Drugs Habits and Social Policy · doi:10.1108/dhs-03-2022-0016 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Structural Characterization of Nitazene Analogs Using Electron Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (EI-MS)
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Identification and characterisation of the recently detected cathinone N-cyclohexyl pentylone
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Self-citationPresumptive Tests for Xylazine—A Computer Vision Approach
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Maxwell, M. K., Anwar, A. I., Hasoon, J., & Kaye, A. D. (2026) · Current Pain and Headache Reports · doi:10.1007/s11916-026-01525-0
“Public health recommendations are emphasizing expanded surveillance systems, increased naloxone access, improved clinician awareness, and targeted education [41, 45, 48].”
InfluentialHwang, S., dos Santos, B. P., Ameer, A., Schwarz, P. D. S., Birk, L., Salomone, A., Eller, S. C. W. D. S., de Oliveira, T. F., Matias, J. P., Concheiro, M., et al. (2026) · Journal of Analytical Toxicology · doi:10.1093/jat/bkag052
Protodesnitazene: The identification and tissue distribution of a new nitazene
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Mayer, A., Montgomery, N., Hughes, E., Birks Ang, B., & Johnson, O. E.
- Affiliations
- New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Johnson, Olivia E.
- Venue
- Forensic Science International
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2026-02
- Volume
- 378
- Pages
- 112717
- ISSN
- 0379-0738 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4416276149
- Cited by
- 4
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4
- FWCI
- 2.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Forensic Science International (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Auckland
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Analytical Chemistry › Analytical Methods in Pharmaceuticals
- Keywords
- nitazenes, new psychoactive substances, drug checking, synthetic opioids, illicit drug markets, forensic chemical analysis
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, New Zealand, Psychotropic Drugs, Illicit Drugs, Designer Drugs
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