Two more nitazenes permanently placed in Schedule I, effective February 11

A final order from the Drug Enforcement Administration, published January 12, 2026, permanently places N-pyrrolidino metonitazene and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene in Schedule I, effective February 11, 2026.

The order makes permanent a control that has already been in effect since August 15, 2025, when a temporary scheduling order first placed both substances in Schedule I [1]. The permanent placement's Schedule I administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions take effect February 11, 2026 [1]. Neither substance currently has an accepted medical use in the United States [1].

The substances belong to the nitazene family — benzimidazole-opioids that first showed up in the recreational drug supply in 2019 [1], with these two specific analogues appearing in the illicit opioid market starting in 2023 [1]. NFLIS lab data recorded 284 reports for these substances between January 2022 and August 2025 [1], including 253 encounters of the protonitazene version across 22 states and 31 encounters of the metonitazene version across 10 states [1], and both have been identified in toxicology cases in the United States associated with adverse events [1]. Benzimidazole-opioids have been identified in counterfeit prescription tablets [1], and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene has reportedly been sold online passed off as "China White" heroin [1].

The UN's Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted on March 12, 2025, to add both to Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs [1].

This is a final order, not a proposal. The temporary Schedule I control has been in force since August 15, 2025 [1]; the permanent placement takes effect February 11, 2026 [1].

References

1. Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of N-Pyrrolidino Metonitazene and N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene in Schedule I — Federal Register