Deadly Synthetic Opioid Found Hidden in THC Vape Products in Australia
Two cases of severe opioid toxicity in Australia were traced to THC vape products containing protonitazene, a potent synthetic opioid, with one case resulting in death.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Two young males experienced opioid toxicity after using what they believed were THC vape products. Case 1 suffered repeated respiratory arrest requiring ventilation but survived. Case 2 died. Analysis of the vaping device found in the deceased's hand revealed a mixture of protonitazene and THC. Protonitazene is a benzimidazole opioid that can be dissolved and vaped due to its lipophilicity.
Key Numbers
Case 1: blood protonitazene 0.74 ug/L, survived with ventilation. Case 2: postmortem protonitazene 0.33 ug/L and THC 2 ug/L, died. Product analysis confirmed protonitazene-THC mixture in vape device.
How They Did This
Two-case clinical report from Australian hospitals. Toxicological analysis included blood concentrations of protonitazene and THC. Product analysis of the vaping device and e-liquid confirmed contamination.
Why This Research Matters
This represents a new and dangerous intersection of the illicit drug markets: potent synthetic opioids being mixed into cannabis vape products. Users have no way to know their THC vape contains a potentially lethal opioid, and the vaping route can deliver high concentrations rapidly.
The Bigger Picture
The contamination of cannabis products with synthetic opioids has been reported in North America with fentanyl, but protonitazene represents a newer threat. The vaping route, which may appear safer than injection, can still deliver lethal opioid doses rapidly.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only two cases reported; the prevalence of protonitazene-contaminated cannabis vapes in Australia is unknown. Cannot determine whether the contamination was intentional adulteration or cross-contamination during production.
Questions This Raises
- ?How widespread is synthetic opioid contamination of cannabis vape products?
- ?Should cannabis vape users carry naloxone?
- ?Would regulated cannabis markets eliminate this contamination risk?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- One death from protonitazene-contaminated THC vape product
- Evidence Grade:
- Two confirmed cases with analytical toxicology; documents a real threat but cannot estimate prevalence.
- Study Age:
- 2024 case report
- Original Title:
- Protonitazene detection in two cases of opioid toxicity following the use of tetrahydrocannabinol vape products in Australia.
- Published In:
- Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(8), 539-541 (2024)
- Authors:
- Syrjanen, Rebekka, Schumann, Jennifer L, Castle, Jared W, Sharp, Lesley, Griffiths, Andrew, Blakey, Karen, Dutch, Martin, Maplesden, Jacqueline, Greene, Shaun L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05746
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can THC vape products contain deadly opioids?
Yes. These two Australian cases involved THC vape products contaminated with protonitazene, a potent synthetic opioid. One user died and the other required emergency ventilation.
What is protonitazene?
It is a synthetic opioid from the benzimidazole class. Because it is lipophilic, it can be dissolved in vape liquid and absorbed at high concentrations through inhalation, causing severe opioid toxicity or death.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05746APA
Syrjanen, Rebekka; Schumann, Jennifer L; Castle, Jared W; Sharp, Lesley; Griffiths, Andrew; Blakey, Karen; Dutch, Martin; Maplesden, Jacqueline; Greene, Shaun L. (2024). Protonitazene detection in two cases of opioid toxicity following the use of tetrahydrocannabinol vape products in Australia.. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(8), 539-541. https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2383692
MLA
Syrjanen, Rebekka, et al. "Protonitazene detection in two cases of opioid toxicity following the use of tetrahydrocannabinol vape products in Australia.." Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2383692
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Protonitazene detection in two cases of opioid toxicity foll..." RTHC-05746. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/syrjanen-2024-protonitazene-detection-in-two
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.