A New Synthetic Opioid Is on the Black Market: 2-Methyl AP-237

On average, one new synthetic drug comes to the black market. These drugs are often referred to as Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in the medical community, Research Chemicals (RC) in the drug using crowd, or "Legal Highs" by some lay people.

2-Methyl AP-237

No matter what you call it, it is concerning that so many of these new drugs are coming to the market so quickly. This week's newest drug coming to the black market is a drug called 2-Methyl AP-237. 2-Methyl AP-237 is classified as a synthetic opioid. 2-Methyl AP-237 is structurally distinct from fentanyl, its analogues, and other synthetic opioids previously reported.

2-Methyl AP-237 is an analogue of bucinnazine (AP-237), an opioid used therapeutically; although bucinnazine is not prescribed within the United States. Bucinnazine is used in China to treat cancer. It is one of the most potent compounds among a series of analgesic acyl piperazines compounds first synthesized and reported in Japan in the 1970s. Bucinnazine has analgesic potency comparable to that of morphine but with a relatively higher therapeutic index.

The chemical structure of 2-Methyl AP-237

Legal Status of 2-Methyl AP-237

Based on its recent emergence and potential for abuse within the United States and worldwide, 2-methyl AP-237 has been categorized as a Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS). 2-Methyl AP-237 and bucinnazine are not scheduled substances in the United States. What does this mean? It isn't illegal and makes it attractive for those wishing to abuse opioids, but don't want to get arrested. It also means that most workplaces won't test for it. That means your safety sensitive employees can get high on it and still test clean in a reasonable suspicion testing scenario.

Like all other opioids, 2-Methyl AP-237 is highly addictive. Tolerance will develop quickly after chronic administration. It will also relieve withdrawal symptoms if the person is addicted to another opioid.

A simple google search will show you numerous places that it can be purchased online. As with most new synthetic drugs, this drug is sold from China.