First fatal detection of protonitazepyne in Finland found in Tampere man

Protonitazepyne, an extremely potent synthetic opioid, has been detected for the first time in Finland following the autopsy of a man in his 40s who died in Tampere in June.

The substance, classified as a nitazene opioid, is significantly stronger than heroin or fentanyl and poses a high risk of fatal overdose due to its potency and difficulty in dosing, according to forensic toxicologist Pirkko Kriikku at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Kriikku, who works in the THL laboratory that identified the substance, noted that protonitazepyne has been reported in Europe and Australia but remains rare. Its detection in Finland marks a concerning development in the country’s evolving drug landscape.

The opioid was classified as an illegal narcotic in Finland in November 2024 and belongs to the nitazene group, which has been linked to around 20 deaths in the country since 2021. Authorities previously warned about counterfeit Subutex tablets containing nitazenes, which can mislead users about the substance’s strength.

Kriikku emphasized the dangers of nitazenes, citing Latvia as an example where the majority of drug overdose deaths in 2024 were attributed to the group. While Finland has so far avoided a major wave of nitazene-related fatalities, she warned that cases could rise without increased vigilance.

In Finland, drug users currently lack access to substance testing services to verify the contents of purchased drugs, a limitation Kriikku described as regrettable. Many Western European countries offer such testing, which has been shown to reduce consumption. Finnish law prohibits the possession of drugs, complicating efforts to analyze substances without criminalizing users.

Drug overdose deaths in Finland have tripled since 2000, with polydrug use—often involving buprenorphine (Subutex), alcohol, and sedatives—being the primary cause.