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. 2018 Jun 20:9:654.
doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00654. eCollection 2018.

Pharmacotoxicology of Non-fentanyl Derived New Synthetic Opioids

Renata Solimini  1 , Simona Pichini  1 , Roberta Pacifici  1 , Francesco P Busardò  2 , Raffaele Giorgetti  3
Affiliations

Pharmacotoxicology of Non-fentanyl Derived New Synthetic Opioids

Renata Solimini et al. Front Pharmacol. .

Abstract

A class of opioid agonists not structurally related to fentanyl, derived from research publications of pharmaceutical companies or patents within the United States and abroad are contributing to the current opioid epidemic. Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) created to circumvent drug control laws such as U-47700, U-49900, AH-7921, or MT-45 have no recognized therapeutic use, are clandestinely manufactured and sold on conventional or dark web. We herein provide a review of the pharmacological properties available on most of these substances trying to provide a better knowledge on these compounds, particularly with respect to toxicity and dangerous adverse effects in users. Indeed, these NSOs share not only a great potency of action and receptor affinity with respect to natural or synthetic opiates (e.g., morphine, heroin, and methadone) but also a non-negligible toxicity leading to intoxications and fatalities, posing a serious harm to public health and society.

Keywords: AH-7921; MT-45; U-47700; U-49900; health threat; novel synthetic opioids; toxicity.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Chemical structures of NSOs reported in this review.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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