An experimental medication shows potential for strong pain relief without the addiction risks of typical opioids, according to early studies.
Researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) developed a compound called DFNZ, a derivative of nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids. While nitazenes are known for their high addictive properties, DFNZ demonstrated pain relief in mice for at least two hours with no apparent addiction potential or slowed breathing.
Unlike traditional opioids, DFNZ did not cause tolerance or significant withdrawal symptoms in preclinical tests, and it increased oxygen flow to the brain rather than depressing respiration. The compound binds to opioid receptors but appears to activate them with lower efficacy, a characteristic researchers believe is key to safety.
Scientists suggest DFNZ could potentially be used to treat opioid use disorder, as well as manage pain for patients undergoing surgery or experiencing cancer-related or chronic pain. Experts caution that the research is in its early stages and has not yet been tested in humans.
Further preclinical studies are planned before human clinical trials can be sought. While promising, the long-term effects and full safety profile in humans remain unknown.