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What is Fentanyl? Well, first of all, let's start with what fentanyl is. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is also a significant contributor to many fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.
There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Both of which are considered synthetic opioids. Doctors usually prescribe the pharmaceutical fentanyl to relieve severe pain after surgery or for advanced stages of cancer. However, some of the most recent cases involving fentanyl-related overdoses are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, distributed through illegal drug markets due to its heroin-like effect.
Fentanyl was created in 1959 by Dr. Paul Janssen, an intravenous surgical analgesic, to help with pain relief after surgery. Unfortunately, it is added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) can be retrieved off the black market in various forms, including liquid and powder. Some street names that would refer to fentanyl include; Apache, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfellas, Jackpot, Murder 8, and Tango & Cash.
Powdered fentanyl looks like many other drugs. It is commonly mixed with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, then made into pills to resemble other prescription opioids. Fentanyl-laced drugs are hazardous, and many people might be unaware of their drugs being laced with fentanyl.
In its liquid form, IMF can be found in nasal sprays, eye drops, and dropped on paper or small candy wrappers. Even in small doses, fentanyl can be fatal. Over 150 people die every day due to opioid-related overdoses like fentanyl. Drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn't be able to see, smell, or taste it.
It is nearly impossible to tell whether drugs have been laced with fentanyl unless you test the drugs with fentanyl test strips. These strips are inexpensive and give results within 5 minutes. Fentanyl, to the naked eye, can look at varying levels of off-whiteness to light brown and can set in within seconds.
When someone overdoses on fentanyl, there are a lot of symptoms to look out for. Some include; small or constricted "pinpoint pupils," falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow, weak, or no breathing, choking or gurgling noises, limp body, cold or clammy skin, and discolored skin in usually the lips or fingernails. When someone overdoses on fentanyl, you can try to administer naloxone to return breathing to normal by reversing the effects.
Some effects one can feel from fentanyl can be described as; relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid and dangerous for anyone using it. With this all in mind, you may want to look at the fine print. Overdose is preventable, and everyone should carry some form of naloxone. Just to be safe. No harm in trying, right? One day it may even save a life!
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