In the past 8 weeks there has been an elevated number of overdoses (with some deaths) in people who use drugs, primarily heroin, in many parts of the country (reports are geographically widespread, with most regions affected but only a few cities or towns in each region).

Testing in some of these cases has found nitazenes, a group of potent synthetic opioids. Nitazenes have been identified previously in this country, but their use has been more common in the USA. Their potency and toxicity are uncertain but perhaps similar to, or more than fentanyl, which is about 100x morphine.

This National Patient Safety Alert provides further background and clinical information and actions for providers.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) is responsible for some functions which were previously under the remit of Public Health England. OHID became an accredited issuer of National Patient Safety Alerts at the same time as the UK Health Security Agency. OHID’s accreditation is specific to the work they lead on illicit drugs and alcohol; this is the first OHID National Patient Safety Alert which we have issued.