Semi-Synthetic Opioids: Drugs that are not naturally occurring substances and are not opiates. These drugs have similar chemical structures to opiates and opioids. Examples include hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and hydromorphone.
Synthetic Opioids: Drugs that man-made, and are not chemically related to opiates. Examples include: methadone, fentanyl, dextroproproxyphene, tramadol, and meperidine.
Novel Synthetic Opioids: Drugs that are not naturally occuring substances, and are being found in counterfeit pharmaceauticals or in other illicit street drugs (CCENDU Bulletin).
Known Compounds Classified as Novel Synthetic Opioids: Fentanyl and its analogues^, W-18*, U-47700, AH-7921, MT-45
^Due to numerous findings and reports, drug information specific to fentanyl and its analogues can be found separately on the NDEWS Website.
*W-18 was previously referred to as a synthetic opioid, new emerging information suggests that it may or may not bind to opioid receptors in the body (Health Canada).
