Isotonitazene is chemically known as, N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-isopropoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)ethan-1-amine.
Isotonitazene is a potent synthetic opioid, and it is being abused for its opioidergic effects. The abuse of isotonitazene, similar to other synthetic opioids, has been
associated with adverse health effects, including numerous deaths.
Law enforcement data indicate that isotonitazene has appeared in the United States illicit drug market. Law enforcement has encountered isotonitazene primarily in powder form.
Isotonitazene is not an approved pharmaceutical product and is not approved for medical use anywhere in the world. DEA has issued a temporary order placing isotonitazene into Schedule I of the CSA (85 FR 51342). Prior to the temporary order, under 21 U.S.C. § 802 (32)(A), isotonitazene can be treated as an analogue of etonitazene, a schedule I substance.