Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Editorial
. 2025 May 9;17(5):e83771.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.83771. eCollection 2025 May.

MT-45: A Synthetic Opioid With an Unusual Adverse Effect Profile

Markus D Moore  1 , Adil K Shivji  1 , Kerry Anne Rambaran  2 , Steven W Fleming  3   4 , Saeed K Alzghari  1
Affiliations
Editorial

MT-45: A Synthetic Opioid With an Unusual Adverse Effect Profile

Markus D Moore et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

The opioid crisis continues to be a problem in the United States. The rise of illicit synthetic opioids continues to be a threat to those that may unknowingly digest these substances. Herein, we present a synthetic opioid, MT-45, that has an unusual adverse effect profile. In one case series, three patients experienced ototoxicity. In a separate case series, three patients experienced a range of symptoms that included visual impairment, dry eye disorder, dermatitis, Mee's lines, alopecia, and hair depigmentation. Clinicians should consider MT-45 as part of their differential diagnosis if a patient is experiencing an uncommon adverse effect associated with MT-45.

Keywords: adverse effects; drug of abuse; mt-45; opioids; synthetic opioids.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

References

    1. The addictive process of opioids: current and novel interventions in opioid use disorder. Duerksen J, Ramjiawan M, Witt J, et al. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2025;103:111–122. - PubMed
    1. Focus on broadband and opioids. [ Apr; 2025 ]. 2025. https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/maps/connect2health/focus-on-opioid... https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/maps/connect2health/focus-on-opioid...
    1. Analysis of MT-45, a novel synthetic opioid, in human whole blood by LC-MS-MS and its identification in a drug-related death. Papsun D, Krywanczyk A, Vose JC, Bundock EA, Logan BK. J Anal Toxicol. 2016;40:313–317. - PubMed
    1. MT-45, a new psychoactive substance associated with hearing loss and unconsciousness. Helander A, Bäckberg M, Beck O. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2014;52:901–904. - PubMed
    1. Acute skin and hair symptoms followed by severe, delayed eye complications in subjects using the synthetic opioid MT-45. Helander A, Bradley M, Hasselblad A, Norlén L, Vassilaki I, Bäckberg M, Lapins J. Br J Dermatol. 2017;176:1021–1027. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources