The following information was compiled in August 2024 and is subject to change as new research is conducted and as new information becomes available:

Description: N-Phenethyl noroxymorphone is a novel synthetic opioid with structural similarity to oxymorphone and naltrexone. N-Phenethyl noroxymorphone was first synthesized in the 1960s as a potential analgesic.1 N-Phenethyl noroxymorphone was first identified in October 2023 by our laboratory and was confirmed in February 2024 after acquiring standard reference material.

Sample Source: PA Groundhogs (Pennsylvania)

Sample Appearance: White solid material

Pharmacology: N-Phenethyl noroxymorphone is reported to be an active and potent drug at the mu-opioid receptor.2 Compared to oxymorphone, N-phenethyl noroxymorphone was determined to have 2x higher affinity and potency at the mu-opioid receptor in vitro and is highly selective for the mu-opioid receptor over the kappa-opioid receptor (EC50: 2.63±1.06 nM, Ki: 0.54±0.03 nM).2

Toxicology: N-Phenethyl noroxymorphone has not been identified toxicology cases to date at the CFSRE.

Drug Materials: N-Phenethyl noroxymorphone has been detected in 1 drug material to date at the CFSRE.

Demographics / Geographics: The drug material positive for N-phenethyl noroxymorphone originated from Pennsylvania and was identified alone without the presence of other drugs.

Legal Status: N-Phenethyl noroxymorphone is not currently a scheduled drug in the United States.

Class: Opioid 
 Appearance: White powder
 Formula: C24H25NO4
 MW: 391.5  [M+]: 391  [M+H]+: 392.1856
 IUPAC: (4R,4aS,7aR,12bS)-4a,9-dihydroxy-3-(2-phenylethyl)-2,4,5,6,7a,13-hexahydro-1H-4,12-methanobenzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinolin-7-one
 Report Date: August 21, 2024