Is nitazene-related mortality underestimated? Findings from an in vivo and ex vivo rat study and pharmacoepidemiological analysis of coroner-reported deaths

Key Points

• The research aims to assess the extent of nitazene-related mortality and its potential underreporting due to post-mortem factors.
• Conducted in vivo and ex vivo studies using rats to examine nitazene effects
• Performed a pharmacoepidemiological analysis of coroner-reported deaths
• Analyzed mortality trends related to nitazene in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• Nitazene-related deaths have notably increased in the studied regions
• Evidence suggests that previous mortality figures are likely underestimated
• Post-mortem instability may contribute to underreporting of nitazene-related harms