Research and analysis

ACMD advice on 2-benzyl benzimidazole and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids

A review of the evidence on the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole (nitazene) and piperidine benzimidazolone (brorphine-like) opioids.

From:
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Published
18 July 2022
Last updated
5 April 2024 — See all updates

Documents

Government response to the ACMD’s advice on 2-benzyl benzimidazole and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids (accessible version)

HTML

Government response to the ACMD’s advice on 2-benzyl benzimidazole and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids

PDF, 351 KB, 4 pages

ACMD advice on 2-benzyl benzimidazole and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids (accessible version)

HTML

ACMD advice on 2-benzyl benzimidazole and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids

PDF, 385 KB, 48 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Cover letter from ACMD with advice on benzyl benzimidazole and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids (accessible version)

HTML

Cover letter from ACMD with advice on benzyl benzimidazole and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids

PDF, 148 KB, 9 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

First addendum to ACMD’s report on the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole (‘nitazene’) and piperidine benzimidazolone (‘brorphine-like’) opioids (accessible version), 19 December 2022

HTML

First addendum to ACMD’s report on the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole (‘nitazene’) and piperidine benzimidazolone (‘brorphine-like’) opioids, 19 December 2022

PDF, 136 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Second addendum to ACMD’s report on the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole (‘nitazene’) and piperidine benzimidazolone (‘brorphine-like’) opioids, 6 October 2023 (accessible version)

HTML

Second addendum to ACMD’s report on the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole (‘nitazene’) and piperidine benzimidazolone (‘brorphine-like’) opioids, 6 October 2023

PDF, 133 KB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Government response to the second ACMD addendum advice on nitazenes (accessible), 18 October 2023

HTML

Government response to the second ACMD addendum advice on nitazenes, 18 October 2023

PDF, 104 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Third addendum to ACMD's report on the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole ('nitazenes') and piperidine benzimidazolone ('brorphine-like') opioids, 15 December 2023 (accessible)

HTML

Third addendum to ACMD's report on the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole ('nitazenes') and piperidine benzimidazolone ('brorphine-like') opioids, 15 December 2023

PDF, 221 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Government response to the third addendum to the ACMD's report on 2-benzyl benzimidazole and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids, 21 March 2024

HTML

Fourth addendum to ACMD report on the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole (‘nitazene’) and piperidine benzimidazolone (‘brorphine- like’) opioids, 5 April 2024 (accessible version)

HTML

Fourth addendum to ACMD report on the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole (‘nitazene’) and piperidine benzimidazolone (‘brorphine- like’) opioids, 5 April 2024

PDF, 114 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This report from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) describes the use and harms of 2-benzyl benzimidazole (nitazene) opioids (including isotonitazene) and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids (including brorphine).

The report contains recommendations on the classification and scheduling of isotonitazene, brorphine and related substances, following a thorough review of the evidence available and using the expertise of the ACMD Novel Psychoactive Substances Committee (NPSC) members.

Since its publication in July 2022, the ACMD has published 3 addenda recommending control of newly identified 2-benzyl benzimidazole compounds by name, following detections in drug seizures and a review of their potential harms. The proposed generic definition to 2-benzyl benzimidazole variants has also been updated to capture compounds that may appear in future and to align with international approaches. The government has provided a response to the report and subsequent addenda.

On 5 April 2024, the ACMD published a fourth addendum, recommending the proposed generic definition be further updated to capture the suspected newly identified compound methylenedioxynitazene and any structurally related compounds to it that may appear in future.

Published 18 July 2022
Last updated 5 April 2024 + show all updates

  1. A fourth addendum has been added, recommending the proposed generic definition be further updated to capture the suspected newly identified compound methylenedioxynitazene and any structurally related compounds to it that may appear in future. The response to the third addendum (originally published on 21 March 2024) has also been moved to this page.

  2. Updated to include recommendation that the proposed generic definition be updated to address other structurally related compounds similar to ethyleneoxynitazene that might appear in the future.

  3. Government response to the addendum advice of 6 October published.

  4. Updated to include consideration of a further 4 newly detected 2-benzyl benzimidazole (nitazene) opioids.

  5. Added government response to the ACMD’s advice on 2-benzyl benzimidazole and piperidine benzimidazolone opioids.

  6. Updated to include consideration of a new synthetic opioid.

  7. First published.