Effectiveness of nitazene test strips

Wisebatch, suppliers of our nitazene testing strips, have completed a study of the effectiveness and sensitivity of their strips in identifying a range of nitazenes. We have provided a summary of their analysis below. Test strips are available here

Methodology

Each drug or chemical being studied was mixed into clean water at a known starting strength:

• Nitazene-related compounds: 100 micrograms per millilitre (µg/mL)

• All other compounds: 10 milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL), or the highest amount we were able to fully dissolve.

Each mixture was then tested using nitazene test strips to determine whether the strip produced a positive result.

If the test strip showed a positive, the mixture was diluted step-by-step (making the solution weaker each time) and tested again. This process continued until we identified the most diluted solution that still produced a negative result.

From these results, they determined the lowest concentration of each compound that produced a positive test. This indicates both the sensitivity of the test strip to that compound and whether the strip reacts to substances other than nitazenes.

Test strips were read 5 minutes after sample application, but no later than 10 minutes, to ensure valid interpretation.

Finally, they calculated cross-reactivity using the formula: Cross-reactivity (%) = (Limit of Detection for Isotonitazene ÷ Limit of Detection for the compound) × 100%. This percentage reflects how strongly each compound triggers the test strip relative to isotonitazene.

Summary of Results
The findings show how strongly nitazene test strips react to different nitazene drugs and their metabolites.

• A lower cross-reactivity value means the strip can detect the compound at very low concentrations.

• A higher value means it only turns positive when a larger amount is present.

1. Compounds the Test Strips Detect Very Easily
These compounds show high cross-reactivity, meaning the strips respond strongly:

• N-desethyl Metonitazene (500%)

• N-Pyrrolidino Metonitazene (250%)

• N-desethyl Etonitazene (100%)

• Etonitazene (100%)

• Isotonitazene (100%)

• N-pyrrolidino Etonitazene (100%)

What this means:
The test strips are extremely sensitive to these compounds. Even very small amounts trigger a positive result—sometimes even more easily than the reference compound (isotonitazene).

2. Compounds That React but Require Higher Concentrations
These compounds have lower cross-reactivity, meaning the strip detects them but only at higher levels:

• N-Piperidinyl Metonitazene (50%)

• N-desethyl Isotonitazene (25%)

• N-Piperidinyl Etonitazene (25%)

• Protonitazene (16.7%)

What this means:
These compounds cause a positive test, but only when present in moderate or high amounts. They are “weaker responders.”

3. Compounds the Test Strips Essentially Do Not Detect
These compounds had very high LoDs (>100,000 ng/mL) and cross-reactivity below 0.5%:

• Etodesnitazene

• Metodesnitazene

What this means:
The test strips are unlikely to detect these compounds at realistic concentrations. Even very large amounts may still give a negative result.

4. All other compounds tested (non nitazene)
These compounds had high LoDs (>10,000 – 10,000 000ng/mL) and cross-reactivity far below 0.5%:

• Acetaminophen • Alprazolam •Caffeine
• Cocaine • Codeine • Dimethyl sulphone
• Diphenhydramine • Fentanyl • Heroin
• Hydrocodone • Hydromorphone • Ketamine
• Levamisole• Lidocaine • MDMA
• Meperidine • Methadone • Methamphetamine
• Morphine • Oxazepam • Oxycodone
• Phenacetin • Procaine • Quetiapine
• Quinine • Tramadol • Xylazine

What this means:
The test strips are extremely unlikely to give a positive result for these compounds. This also means the likelihood of false positives when these substances are present is extremely low.

In summary

• Most nitazenes are detected reliably. The test strips reacted strongly to the majority of nitazene compounds tested. This suggests that many nitazenes currently appearing in the drug supply will likely trigger a positive result.

• Some forms are detected even more easily than expected.

• Several metabolites and analogues triggered positive results at very low concentrations, increasing confidence that the strips capture a wide range of related substances.

• A few rare nitazenes may not show up.

Etodesnitazene and metodesnitazene showed almost no reaction, even at high concentrations. These forms are not common in the current supply, but it is important to be aware that they may evade detection.

What This Means for People Who Use Drugs

• Nitazene test strips are a useful tool for identifying the presence of many nitazenes.

• A positive test strongly suggests that a nitazene-type substance is present.

• A negative test does not guarantee the sample is free of nitazenes—especially the rare forms the strips do not detect well.

• Because nitazenes can be extremely potent, continuing other harm-reduction practices remains essential:

• Using smaller amounts

• Not using alone

• Carrying naloxone

• Checking in with others

Nitazene test strips catch most—but not all—nitazenes.
They are an important harm-reduction tool and should be used alongside other safety strategies.