Eleanor Finch
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It is a Schedule II controlled substance with legitimate medical use as a pain reliever and anesthetic in very small doses under medical supervision. However, illicit fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs or pressed into counterfeit pills, leading to accidental overdoses and deaths. Determining a non-lethal dose of fentanyl is complex as it varies across individuals, with factors like health, opioid tolerance, and presence of other substances influencing the risk of overdose. While a lethal dose is generally considered 2 mg, even smaller amounts can be fatal, especially when taken with other opiates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dose considered lethal for an average-sized adult | 2mg |
| Dose considered lethal in other units | 5-7 grains of salt, or 0.007% of an ounce |
| Dose considered lethal in some counterfeit pills | Up to 5mg |
| Dose causing high risk for overdose | 0.25mg |
| Number of pills tested for fentanyl that contained at least a potentially lethal dose | 42% |
| Number of overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2020 | 42,687 |
| Percentage of overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2020 | 53% |
| Percentage increase in fentanyl overdose deaths between 2012 and 2018 | 1,105% |
| Percentage increase in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids between 2020 and 2021 | 55.6% |
| Risk factors for overdose | Presence of other substances, general health, tolerance to opioids |
| Signs of overdose | Extreme drowsiness, lethargy, lightheadedness, dizziness, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing |
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What You'll Learn
Fentanyl is 50-100 times more potent than morphine
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is often used as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic, and it is typically administered to patients with chronic severe pain or severe post-surgical pain. Fentanyl is also used to treat chronic pain patients who have developed a tolerance to opiates.
The drug is so powerful that a dose of just 100 micrograms can produce effects equivalent to approximately 10 mg of morphine. To put this in perspective, a lethal dose of fentanyl for an average-sized adult is considered to be 2 milligrams, which is similar to 5-7 grains of salt or 10-15 grains of table salt. This means that even in small doses, fentanyl can be deadly.
Illicit fentanyl is often manufactured in clandestine labs and smuggled into countries like the United States through Mexico. It is then distributed and sold on the illegal drug market, either on its own or mixed with other illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills. These counterfeit pills are often made to look like legitimate prescription opioids, and because there is no official oversight or quality control, they may contain lethal doses of fentanyl.
Due to its potency and low cost, drug dealers frequently mix fentanyl with other drugs, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning and fatal interactions. Even fake, everyday medications like Tylenol and Ritalin have been found to contain fentanyl and sold via social media. This has contributed to the opioid overdose crisis, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl being the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States, according to the CDC.
Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, including from fentanyl. It is available at many pharmacies without a prescription, and having it on hand could be life-saving.
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Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, or the veterinary tranquilizer xylazine. This is done to increase the potency of the drug, make it cheaper, and more addictive. Illicit fentanyl is typically manufactured in foreign clandestine labs and smuggled into the United States through Mexico, where it is then distributed across the country and sold on the illegal drug market.
Drug dealers have been mixing fentanyl with other drugs to increase their profits and make their product more appealing to consumers. Fentanyl is cheap to produce and extremely potent, so adding it to other drugs can make them more powerful and addictive. This also increases the risk of fatal interactions, as fentanyl is much stronger than other opioids and can be lethal even in small doses.
Fentanyl is also being pressed into pills that are made to look like legitimate prescription opioids. These counterfeit pills often contain lethal doses of fentanyl, with none of the promised drug. Criminal drug networks are mass-producing these fake pills and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills, killing unsuspecting people. Some of the counterfeit pills are made to look like prescription opioids like oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and alprazolam (Xanax), or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall).
The mixing of fentanyl with other drugs has contributed to the overdose crisis in the United States. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the country, and overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids have been increasing in recent years. Fentanyl test strips can be used to test for the presence of fentanyl in drugs, but it is important to seek help immediately if an overdose is suspected.
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Fentanyl overdose can be deadly for first-time users
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin. It is typically used to treat patients with chronic or severe pain. However, it has become a popular drug on the black market, with dealers mixing it with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA to increase their potency. Fentanyl is often pressed into pills that resemble legitimate prescription opioids, making it difficult for users to know what they are taking. This has led to a sharp rise in fentanyl overdoses, which can be deadly for first-time users.
Fentanyl is unique among opiates in that it can be lethal with the first use, even in small doses. A potentially lethal dose of fentanyl is considered to be around 2 milligrams, which is similar to 5–7 grains of salt. This is a very small amount, and it is easy for users to accidentally ingest this much or more, especially if they are unaware that the drug they are taking contains fentanyl. According to the CDC, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States, with overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids rising by 55.6% between 2020 and 2021.
The danger of fentanyl is that it is often mixed with other drugs without the user's knowledge. Drug dealers may cut fentanyl into heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine to increase the drugs' effects. Users who are unaware of the presence of fentanyl may accidentally ingest a lethal dose. This is especially true for first-time users, who may not be familiar with the effects of fentanyl or how to recognize an overdose.
The rise in fentanyl overdoses has led to an increase in naloxone distribution. Naloxone is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, and it is now available without a prescription in many pharmacies. First responders and civilians have started carrying naloxone to help prevent fentanyl overdose deaths. Additionally, schools and community programs have started to educate youth and their communities about the dangers of fentanyl and how to prevent opioid misuse and addiction.
The best way to avoid a fentanyl overdose is to avoid taking fentanyl or any drugs that may be laced with fentanyl. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, there are resources and services available to help. Treatment and recovery are possible, and it's important to seek help as soon as possible.
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Fentanyl is difficult to detect in other drugs
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. It is often produced illegally in clandestine labs and smuggled into the United States through Mexico. Illicit fentanyl is then distributed across the country and sold on the illegal drug market.
Fentanyl is mixed with other illicit drugs to increase their potency and is sold as powders and nasal sprays. It is also pressed into pills made to look like legitimate prescription opioids. These counterfeit pills often contain lethal doses of fentanyl, with none of the promised drug. There is a significant risk that illegal drugs have been intentionally contaminated with fentanyl due to its potency and low cost.
The CDC reports that synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids rose 55.6% between 2020 and 2021, contributing to the increase in total drug overdose fatalities. Fentanyl's potency and the inability to know the amount in an individual pill or how much has been added to another drug make it especially dangerous. Naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, is available in many states without a prescription and can be kept on hand to reduce the risk of fatal overdoses.
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Naloxone can reverse a fentanyl overdose
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin and morphine. Even a small dose of 2 milligrams, similar to 5-7 grains of salt, can be lethal for an average-sized adult. Fentanyl is often mixed with other illicit drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, or pressed into counterfeit pills, making it difficult for users to know if they are consuming fentanyl. This has led to a significant increase in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, with fentanyl being the primary driver.
Due to the dangers associated with fentanyl, it is crucial to be prepared to save lives. Naloxone is a medication that can effectively reverse a fentanyl overdose. It is an opioid antagonist, which means it attaches to opioid receptors and blocks the effects of opioids. Naloxone can be administered as a nasal spray or injected into the muscle, under the skin, or into the veins. It works rapidly to restore normal breathing in individuals experiencing an opioid overdose, including fentanyl overdose.
The availability of naloxone is essential for both individuals at risk of overdose and those around them. Pharmacies in some states, such as Texas, provide naloxone without a prescription, making it accessible to those who may need it. Schools and community programs can also play a role in increasing awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and promoting naloxone availability and training on how to administer it.
While naloxone can be life-saving, it is important to understand its limitations. Naloxone only works to reverse opioid overdose for 30 to 90 minutes, and some opioids may require multiple doses. Therefore, it is crucial to call emergency services immediately, even if naloxone has been administered. Individuals who have been given naloxone should be constantly monitored until they receive further medical attention to ensure their breathing remains stable.
In summary, naloxone is a critical tool in the fight against the fentanyl crisis. By reversing the effects of a fentanyl overdose, naloxone can mean the difference between life and death. However, the most important step is to seek immediate medical attention, even if naloxone has been administered, to ensure continuous care and monitoring.
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Frequently asked questions
A lethal dose of fentanyl is generally considered to be 2 milligrams, which is similar in size to 5-7 grains of salt. However, doses as small as 0.25 mg, or a single grain of sand, can place a person at a high risk for overdose.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It is often mixed with other substances, like heroin or cocaine, which can lead to involuntary consumption and accidental overdoses.
It is difficult to tell if a pill contains fentanyl since it does not change the smell, taste, or texture of the substance it is mixed with. It is important to only take medication that comes directly from a pharmacy or a retail store.
If you suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl, you should call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to perform CPR or give any medications unless you are trained to do so. If the person is still breathing, roll them on their side to prevent choking if they vomit.
Signs of a fentanyl overdose include extreme drowsiness, lethargy, lightheadedness, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.
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