Valerylfentanyl

Summary

Valerylfentanyl, an opioid analgesic analogue of fentanyl, has made appearances as a designer drug in online markets. Despite being relatively uncommon in illicit trade, limited information is available about this substance. It is generally thought to possess intermediate potency, with greater strength compared to benzyl fentanyl but lower power than butyrfentanyl. A study found that it effectively substituted for oxycodone, eliciting antinociceptive effects and oxycodone-like stimulus responses in mice. These effects were akin in potency to morphine. However, valerylfentanyl did not induce increased locomotor activity in mice, even at doses up to 100 mg/kg.

Identifiers

IUPAC name
CAS Number	122882-90-0
PubChem CID	21595398
ChemSpider	10551383
UNII	VUG0EQK700
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID801014173
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C24H32N2O
Molar mass	364.533 g·mol−1

Side effects

The side effects associated with fentanyl analogues closely mirror those of fentanyl itself, encompassing symptoms such as itching, nausea, and the potential for severe respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. Fentanyl analogues have claimed the lives of numerous individuals across Europe and the former Soviet republics, with their resurgence beginning in Estonia during the early 2000s, and they continue to evolve with the emergence of novel derivatives.
In the United States, a new wave of fentanyl analogues started causing concerns around 2014, and their prevalence has steadily increased. Since 2016, these substances have been linked to hundreds of overdose fatalities each week.
Regarding its legal status, valerylfentanyl has been categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States since February 1, 2018. Furthermore, in December 2019, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released scheduling recommendations, placing valerylfentanyl into Schedule I.

FAQ

• What is Valerylfentanyl?
• Valerylfentanyl is an opioid analgesic, and it belongs to the group of synthetic opioids. It is considered an analogue of fentanyl and is often sold as a designer drug, primarily online.
• How potent is Valerylfentanyl compared to other fentanyl analogues?
• Valerylfentanyl’s potency in comparison to other fentanyl analogues can vary, but it is generally believed to be less potent than butyrfentanyl while potentially more powerful than benzylfentanyl.
• What are the typical effects of Valerylfentanyl use?
• Valerylfentanyl use can produce effects typical of opioids, such as pain relief and euphoria. However, as an opioid, it also carries the risk of side effects, including respiratory depression, itching, and nausea.
• Is Valerylfentanyl associated with risks and health concerns?
• Yes, like other fentanyl analogues, Valerylfentanyl can be hazardous. Respiratory depression is a serious risk which can be life-threatening. Itching and nausea are common side effects, and opioid-related overdoses have been reported.
• When did the resurgence of fentanyl analogues occur?
• The resurgence of fentanyl analogues began in the early 2000s in Estonia and continued to evolve. A new wave of these analogues started causing concerns in the United States around 2014, and their prevalence has been growing since 2016, contributing to numerous overdose deaths.
• What is Valerylfentanyl’s legal status in the USA?
• Valerylfentanyl has been classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States since February 1, 2018.
• Is Valerylfentanyl regulated internationally?
• Yes, in December 2019, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recommended scheduling Valerylfentanyl as a controlled substance and placing it in Schedule I.

References

1. A study conducted by Cooman, Travon et al. in February 2022 explored the metabolism of valerylfentanyl using human liver microsomes and zebrafish larvae. The research aimed to understand how this synthetic opioid is processed in the human body and its potential effects.
2. Prekupec, Matthew P., Mansky, Peter A., and Baumann, Michael H., discussed the misuse of novel synthetic opioids in their 2017 publication. They shed light on the emerging concerns related to these substances and their impact on public health.
3. Walentiny, D. Matthew, Moisa, Léa T., and Beardsley, Patrick M. published findings in May 2019 regarding the oxycodone-like discriminative stimulus effects of fentanyl-related emerging drugs of abuse in mice. Their research helped in understanding the behavioral effects of these substances.
4. In another study published in June 2019, Varshneya, Neil B., Walentiny, D. Matthew, and Beardsley, Patrick M., discussed the opioid-like antinociceptive and locomotor effects of emerging fentanyl-related substances. This research provided insights into the pain-relief and movement-related aspects of these drugs.
5. Jane Mounteney, Isabelle Giraudon, Gleb Denissov, and Paul Griffiths raised awareness in July 2015 about the increasing prevalence of fentanyls in Europe. Their research emphasized the potency of these substances and their growing presence in the region.
6. Armenian P., Vo KT, Barr-Walker J., and Lynch KL presented a comprehensive review in 2017, delving into fentanyl, its analogs, and novel synthetic opioids. This publication provided an in-depth analysis of these substances, shedding light on their characteristics and effects.
7. To address the growing concerns related to fentanyl-related substances, the Federal Register announced the temporary placement of seven fentanyl-related substances into Schedule I on February 1, 2018. This regulatory measure aimed to control the distribution and use of these potentially harmful compounds.
8. In December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended scheduling 12 new psychoactive substances (NPS), emphasizing the need for international cooperation to regulate these substances.