Course Description
As highly potent synthetic opioids continue to emerge in the illicit drug supply, nitazenes have become an important and growing concern for healthcare professionals. This session will provide an overview of nitazene analogs, including key differences in potency and pharmacologic characteristics among compounds in this drug class. Participants will examine the acute clinical effects and potential long-term risks associated with nitazene use, with a focus on overdose and other adverse outcomes. Finally, the session will review evidence-informed pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches to managing nitazene use and supporting patient care across practice settings.
Learning Objectives
- Differentiate between nitazene analogs and their comparative potencies.
- Identify acute effects and overdose complications associated with nitazene use.
- Recommend pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options to manage nitazene use.
Target Audience
If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.
Faculty
View biographical information
Dr. Raeschell "Shelly" Williams is a graduate of the University of Virginia where she earned her BA in Psychology. She then relocated to Kentucky where she earned her PharmD and MPH degrees from the University of Kentucky Colleges of Pharmacy and Public Health, respectively. Afterwards, she moved to San Antonio, TX, where she completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice and PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy residencies at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. She was hired by the South Texas VA as a mental health clinical pharmacist practitioner in 2019 following residency, initially working in Primary Care-Mental Health Integration before transitioning to her current role at the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program in 2021. She is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy and Psychiatric Pharmacy, and functions under a scope of practice for medication management of mental health and substance use disorders.
At her site, Dr. Williams serves in various roles and committees, including residency program director for the ASHP-accredited PGY-2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Program, facility Naloxone Champion, member of the Psychotropic Drug Safety Initiative (PDSI), and member on the Clinical Pharmacy Practice Council. Additionally, she is involved in various national committees/workgroups to include the VA Clinical Pharmacy Practice Office Substance Use Disorder Subject Matter Expert Workgroup and the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) Substance Use Disorders Committee. Her professional interests include precepting students and residents, tracking geographic trends in new/emerging drugs of abuse, the intersection/overlap between mental health and substance use disorders, and engaging in holistic approaches to treating mental health and substance use disorders. In her free time, she enjoys reading, knitting, building Lego sets, and traveling.
Course Requirements
To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:
- Register for this course.
- Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
- Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
- Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures
Activity Dates: 10/2/2026-10/2/2029
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.25
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-26-057-L01-P (Application)
 | The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. |
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.
View Faculty and Program Planning Committee Disclosures of Interest
Faculty: Raeschell Williams, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, BCPP has nothing to disclose
Planning Committee: Members and disclosures listed here.
View AAPP's Disclaimer and Disclosure Declarations
AAPP Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure: Faculty of this CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. The faculty, planners, and American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.
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It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.