[1] GREENE, S.A. and THURMON, J.C. (1988), Xylazine – a review of its pharmacology and use in veterinary medicine. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 11: 295-313.
[2] Reyes, J.C., Negrón, J.L., Colón, H.M. et al. The Emerging of Xylazine as a New Drug of Abuse and its Health Consequences among Drug Users in Puerto Rico. J Urban Health 89, 519–526 (2012).
[3] Baselt RC. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man. 2nd ed. Davis: Biomedical Publications; 1982.
[1] GREENE, S.A. and THURMON, J.C. (1988), Xylazine – a review of its pharmacology and use in veterinary medicine. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 11: 295-313.
[2] Reyes, J.C., Negrón, J.L., Colón, H.M. et al. The Emerging of Xylazine as a New Drug of Abuse and its Health Consequences among Drug Users in Puerto Rico. J Urban Health 89, 519–526 (2012).
[3] Baselt RC. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man. 2nd ed. Davis: Biomedical Publications; 1982.
Benzodiazepines 300 related compounds |
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Bromazepam |
Diazepam |
Estazolam |
Benzodiazepines are a controlled class of molecules which promote the binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to GABAA receptors in the body, resulting in reduced excitability of neurons and producing a calming effect on the brain.1 Due to the effects of benzodiazepines, they have been prescribed for a variety of uses, including to treat anxiety, insomnia, and muscle spasms.[1],[2] Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam) are currently among the most commonly prescribed pharmaceutical benzodiazepines.[3]
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Benzodiazepines, like many other drugs, are misused, being sourced through both legal avenues as well as through the illicit drug supply.[2],[3] When sourced through legal avenues, users can be assured of drug purity and contents. However, illicit benzodiazepines are rarely pure, and often co-occur with other drug substances.[4-8] The most common and dangerous type of drugs co-identified with benzodiazepines are opioids, which include drugs like fentanyl and heroin.[7],[8] In fact, recent drug checking reports from Toronto and British Columbia have identified how prevalently the two drug classes are found together, with approximately 45-50% of all drugs expected to be of opioid origin also containing at least one benzodiazepine.[7],[9]
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Benzodiazepine toxicity is often associated with central nervous system depression, such as slurred speech and loss of coordination; it is rare for vital processes, like respiration, to be severely depressed in cases of mono-substance benzodiazepine toxicity.[9] However, benzodiazepines are often used with other drugs,[7],[8] such as opioids, and presents a heightened toxic effect in these situations. In such cases, benzodiazepines have been observed to significantly compound respiratory depression, a leading cause of overdose.[2],[9]
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Yes, this test is authorized for home use under the Health Canada Interim Order for use in relation to COVID-19.
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[1] Griffin III, C. E. et al. The Ochsner Journal 2013.
[2] Schmitz, A. Ment Health Clin 2016.
[3] United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Fact Sheet: Benzodiazepines 2020.
[4] Blakey, K. et al. Drug Test Anal 2021.
[5] Jurásek, B. et al. Int J Clin Pract. 2020.
[6] Tobias, S. et al. Drug Alc Dep 2020.
[9] British Columbia Centre on Substance Use Drug Checking in British Columbia 2023.
[10] Nation Library of Medicine Benzodiazepine Toxicity 2023.
[11] Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Prescription Opioids (Canadian Drug Summary) 2022.
Nitazene related compounds | Concentration (ng/ml) |
Isotonitazene | 2000 |
Protonitazene | 3000 |
N-Pyrrolidono Etonitazene | 2000 |
* A negative result can be interpreted as soon as both the test (T) and control (C) lines appear. A positive result can be interpreted once the control line has appeared and the background has cleared to white, typically by 60 seconds. Do not read results after 10 minutes.
About the Test Nitazene Nitazenes are a class of synthetic drugs that have gained attention in the United States and other countries in recent years. The prevalence of nitazenes in the illegal drug supply has been on the rise since 2019. Recent evidence suggests nitazenes may be more potent than fentanyl and may require a higher dose of naloxone in case of overdose.[1] In the same study, several individuals who overdosed on nitazenes were unaware that their drugs contained it.[1]
[1] JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(8):e2331264. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.3126