Super-Potent Opioids Could Be Safer-than-Expected Alternatives to Conventional Painkillers

Can a "Superopioid" Treat Pain Without Opioid Baggage? A Nature Paper Says Maybe.

A group of (mostly NIH) scientists just published a Nature paper on a drug called DFNZ—a highly potent nitazene opioid that, at least in mice, appears to avoid many of the liabilities of traditional opioids. If that holds up in humans—and that’s a big if—the implications would be enormous.

A safer opioid? DFNZ discovery suggests pain relief with minimal addictive properties

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified a novel, highly potent opioid that shows potential as a therapy for both pain and opioid use disorder. In a study published in Nature, the team observed the new drug's effect in laboratory animals. They showed that it has high pain-relieving effects without causing respiratory depression, tolerance or other indicators of potential for addiction in humans.

Super-potent opioids could be safer-than-expected alternatives to conventional painkillers

Modified nitazenes, opioids 1,000 times stronger than morphine, show remarkably few adverse effects in rodents, renewing the potential of these drugs for pain relief. Modified nitazenes, opioids 1,000 times stronger than morphine, show remarkably few adverse effects in rodents, renewing the potential of these drugs for pain relief.

NIH Scientists Develop Pain-Relief Drug with Low Addiction Risk

In a groundbreaking stride toward safer pain management, scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have unveiled a novel opioid compound exhibiting potent analgesic effects with an unprecedented reduction in addictive properties. This discovery could revolutionize the treatment landscape for patients suffering from acute and chronic pain, as well as individuals grappling with opioid […]

High-Potency Opioid Relieves Pain Without the Risks

Researchers have engineered a novel nitazene-based opioid, DFNZ, that provides potent pain relief without causing respiratory depression or addiction. The "superagonist" drug could revolutionize treatment for chronic pain and opioid use disorder.