Dutch authorities are issuing urgent warnings about the dangers of ordering prescription painkillers online after the death of a 30-year-old man in Amsterdam from taking counterfeit oxycodone.
The pills, bought without a prescription, were found to contain nitazenes—a synthetic opioid much stronger than oxycodone, morphine, or fentanyl. These drugs are so potent that even a few milligrams can cause fatal respiratory issues, and their effects last longer, increasing the risk of overdose. The Trimbos Institute, a Dutch scientific research agency, highlighted the severe dangers associated with these substances.
The victim’s identity is still under investigation, with Amsterdam police trying to trace where he obtained the fake oxycodone. His death is part of a broader trend of health crises tied to synthetic drugs in the Netherlands. According to the Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ), several individuals have required emergency medical care after ingesting pills sold online as oxycodone but containing nitazenes.
These counterfeit drugs are often sold online and through social media, with packaging that closely resembles genuine oxycodone, making them nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. IGJ’s chief inspector, Henk de Groot, stressed the risks of purchasing prescription medication online, stating, “It may look real, but you have absolutely no idea what you are buying.”
The warning coincides with an increase in synthetic opioids like nitazenes in parts of Europe, which the European Union Drugs Agency has flagged as a growing threat. Trimbos urged people to avoid buying painkillers online and advised anyone feeling unwell after taking oxycodone to seek emergency medical assistance immediately. Meanwhile, IGJ has encouraged people to report websites selling prescription drugs to investigators, reminding the public: “For drugs, go to your doctor and pharmacy.”
