U-47700: An Emerging Threat (2024)

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  • Cureus
  • v.9(10); 2017 Oct
  • PMC5741271

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U-47700: An Emerging Threat (1)

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Cureus. 2017 Oct; 9(10): e1791.

Published online 2017 Oct 22. doi:10.7759/cureus.1791

Monitoring Editor: Alexander Muacevic and John R Adler

Saeed K Alzghari,U-47700: An Emerging Threat (2)1 Steven W Fleming,2 Kerry Anne Rambaran,3 James E Long,1 Samantha Burkhart,1 Jie An,1 and Jakub Furmaga4

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Abstract

Illicit opioid use continues to be an ever-growing problem in the United States. The rise of synthetic opioids is an emerging threat that is beginning to draw attention over the past few years.Herein, we present an overview of the rise of a synthetic opioid known as U-47700.We describe U-47700's history, legal status, ease of obtainment, consequences of its use, and a proposal to increase the awareness of this synthetic opioid.

Keywords: u-47700, synthetic opioid, opioid toxidrome, drug abuse, novel psychoactive substance, opioids, opioid poisoning, opioid abuse

Editorial

The opioid epidemic in the United States continues to be a significant problem. The number of deaths associated with opioid overdose has increased markedly, from 28,647 deaths in 2014 to 33,091 deaths in 2015 [1]. With this growing problem, there is also a risein the occurrence of synthetic opioidsthat can be surprisingly easy to obtain, as opposed toheroin or prescription opioids, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and others.

U-47700 (Figure ​(Figure1)1) is a newsynthetic opioid that hasmade its way to the United States. The Upjohn Company created U-47700 in the 1970s, but it never received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. At about 7.5 times the potency of morphine, it can produce a strong analgesic response [2]. Furthermore, U-47700 exhibits common adverse effects associated with an opioid toxidrome, such as respiratory depression, cyanosis, and pinpoint eyes (as documented in recent case reports), as well as tachycardia in patients that survived an overdose of this agent [3-4]. Immunoassays cannot detect U-47700, but a combination approach of untargetedfollowed bytargeted chromatographic and spectral techniques have been utilized to detect U-47700 [4].

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Figure 1

Structure of U-47700

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made U-47700 a schedule I substance in November 2016. At the time of publication, the DEA confirmed 46 deaths from six states (New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin) due to U-47700 overdose [2]. In a recent clinical review published by Rambaran, et al., the age range of ten individuals that died from U-47700 overdose (all males) was from 20 to 46 years of age, with nine out of the 10 deaths being 30 years of age or younger [4].

After the scheduling of U-47700, the most striking aspect is the ease in obtaining this crystalline opioid online (Figure ​(Figure2).2). For instance, a brief search with “U-47700 for sale” on multiple search engines led to many companies abroad advertising the product for a few dollars per gram.

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Figure 2

Physical sample of U-47700

We propose three ways to increase awareness of this potentially dangerous agent. First, educational efforts through national platforms, such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), need to mention synthetically made agents, such as U-47700 as an emerging threat in addition to heroin and prescription opioids. Since this agent is relatively new, education about U-47700 in its entirety (such as the history of the agent, adverse effects, and recent deaths) is the key to bringing awareness to the public and providers. Second, more laboratories should include U-47700 as part of their analysis. Confirmation testing is necessary, especially when a screening test cannot elucidate U-47700, as seen in recent case reports [4-5]. This process takes time especially if a laboratory is not equipped for testing this agent. Third, toxicologists, pathologists, and pharmacists need to be aware of U-47700, continue to report cases associated with this agent, report new methodologies for its screening, and provide continuing educationas an emerging topic of interest.

Providers need to be cognizant of the importance of U-47700 as more information is made available through the literature and media. Educating the public andgreater access to toxicology screenings, as well as practitioners taking a greater role in the understanding and dissemination of data associated with U-47700, are necessary for curbing the effects of this emerging synthetic opioid.

Notes

The content published in Cureus is the result of clinical experience and/or research by independent individuals or organizations. Cureus is not responsible for the scientific accuracy or reliability of data or conclusions published herein. All content published within Cureus is intended only for educational, research and reference purposes. Additionally, articles published within Cureus should not be deemed a suitable substitute for the advice of a qualified health care professional. Do not disregard or avoid professional medical advice due to content published within Cureus.

Footnotes

The authors have declared financial relationships, which are detailed in the next section.

Saeed K. Alzghari, Steven Fleming, Jie An, Samantha Burkhart, and James E. Long declare(s) employment from Gulfstream Diagnostics.

References

1. Increases in drug and opioid-involved overdose deaths - United States, 2010-2015. Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016;65:1445–1452. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

2. Schedules of controlled substances: temporary placement of U-47700 into schedule I. Final order. Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-11-14/pdf/2016-27357.pdf. Fed Regist. 2016;81:79389–79393. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

3. Two cases of intoxication with new synthetic opioid, U-47700. Domanski K, Kleinschmidt KC, Schulte JM, et al. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2017;55:46–50. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

4. U-47700: a clinical review of the literature. Rambaran KA, Fleming SW, An J, et al. J Emerg Med. 2017 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

5. Analysis of U-47700, a novel synthetic opioid, in human urine by LC-MS-MS and LC-QToF. Fleming SW, Cooley JC, Johnson L, et al. J Anal Toxicol. 2017;41:173–180. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Cureus are provided here courtesy of Cureus Inc.

U-47700: An Emerging Threat (2024)

FAQs

What type of drug is U-47700? ›

U-47700, nicknamed “U4,” “pink,” or “pinky,” is a highly potent synthetic opioid that looks like a white or light pink powder. A lot of times, it is often either sold in baggies or pressed into pills to look like legal painkillers. Abuse of this drug is similar to heroin, and prescription and designer opioids.

Who is most at risk for an opioid overdose? ›

Some individuals with certain healthcare conditions or characteristics are at higher risk of misuse, which may lead to overdose. These include: Younger adults (18-25 years old) Mental Health Disorders (Depression, Anxiety, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)

What drug is nitazenes? ›

Nitazenes are powerful lab-made opioids, such as metonitazene and isotonitazene, with no approved medical use. They are potentially 40 times stronger than fentanyl and are difficult to detect through standard drug tests or testing strips.

What is the history of U-47700? ›

The substance U-47700 was first described in 1978 in the patent literature. Publications in the scientific literature in the early 1980's found that U-47700 behaved similarly to morphine in animal models.

What is the drug Pink Lady? ›

Ecstasy. (also known as E, Adam, XTC, Pink Lady, Snow White) 'Ecstasy' refers to tablets containing Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) and Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA).

What narcotic is a round pink pill? ›

Pink Oxycodone is a version of the popular opioid pain medication. Pink Oxycodone is an immediate-release form of oxycodone hydrochloride 10 mg. This drug is a Schedule II controlled substance.

What are nitazenes in 2024? ›

VIENNA, Austria – February 2024: Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids that have emerged in recent years. They are analogues of the internationally controlled substances clonitazene and etonitazene.

What drug is stronger than morphine? ›

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.

Is protonitazene illegal in the US? ›

952, 953, 957, and 958, and in accordance with 21 CFR part 1312. 10. Liability. Any activity involving etodesnitazene, N -pyrrolidino etonitazene, or protonitazene not authorized by, or in violation of the CSA, is unlawful, and may subject the person to administrative, civil, and/or criminal sanctions.

What is the oldest narcotic in the world? ›

The earliest reference to opium growth and use is in 3,400 B.C. when the opium poppy was cultivated in lower Mesopotamia (Southwest Asia). The Sumerians referred to it as Hul Gil, the "joy plant." The Sumerians soon passed it on to the Assyrians, who in turn passed it on to the Egyptians.

What is the little pink painkiller? ›

The pink pill with the imprint “K56” is identified as Oxycodone Hydrochloride 10 mg. The pink pill K 56 is an opioid analgesic used for the management of moderate to severe pain, with various applications including pain relief, postoperative pain, and injury-related pain.

What was the first opiate? ›

The earliest reference to opium (the “natural” source of opiates) dates back to 3400 B.C., when poppies were cultivated in lower Mesopotamia. The Sumerians called the opium poppy “Hul Gil” (the “Joy Plant”). Around 460-357 B.C., Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” acknowledged opium's usefulness as a narcotic.

What are the U series opioids? ›

IMF, fentanyl analogs, heroin, and illicitly manufactured U-series drugs. U-series drugs are novel nonfentanyl-related synthetic opioids with no authorized medical uses. U-series drug deaths include those involving U-47700 and its analogs U-48800 and U-49900.

Is buprenorphine a type of morphine? ›

Buprenorphine exhibits high-affinity binding to the mu-opioid receptors and slow-dissociation kinetics. In this way, it differs from other full-opioid agonists such as morphine and fentanyl, which results in milder and less uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms for the patient.

What is carfentanil also known as? ›

Carfentanil or carfentanyl, sold under the brand name Wildnil, is an extremely potent opioid analgesic used in veterinary medicine to anesthetize large animals such as elephants and rhinoceroses.

What is buprenorphine hydrochloride called? ›

Buprenorphine is available under the trade names Cizdol, Brixadi (approved in the US by FDA for addiction treatment in 2023), Suboxone (with naloxone), Subutex (typically used for opioid use disorder), Zubsolv, Bunavail, Buvidal (approved in the UK, Europe and Australia for addiction treatment in 2018), Sublocade ( ...

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