Hospital Universitario de Navarra

Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN) is a hospital in Navarra, Spain. Recently, toxicology experts at HUN conducted an analysis regarding the death of a 21-year-old in Navarra in August 2024. This death is significant as it is the first documented case in Spain linked to nitazenes, a highly potent synthetic opioid. Nitazenes are considered significantly more toxic than fentanyl or heroin, with some experts estimating they are up to 40 times stronger than fentanyl. The analysis by HUN's toxicology experts is crucial in understanding the circumstances surrounding the death and identifying the specific nitazene variant involved. This event highlights the growing concern about the emergence of these dangerous synthetic opioids in the illegal drug market and the potential risks they pose to public health in Spain.