Dangers of Fentanyl | Learn about the Risks

Pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl is a legitimate opioid medication that is regulated and meets strict quality standards. It is carefully blended to ensure precise dosing and is administered by doctors. This fentanyl is often used as anesthesia for surgery and for chronic pain associated with terminal illnesses, like cancer. However, like other opioids, it can lead to addiction when it’s misused.

Illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is the version that is illegally made and mixed into powders and pills by drug dealers. Since this is made in unsterile conditions, often in garages and basements, there is no quality control or dosing consistency, making it extremely dangerous. Sometimes, illicit fentanyl isn’t even real fentanyl. Instead, ingredients may be altered, which can produce fentanyl analogs. That means it’s similar to fentanyl, but not the same. Some of these analogs that have been developed are even stronger than true fentanyl, making it even more deadly.

Fentanyl is commonly found in fake pills; oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax and Adderall are some of the most common fake pills. It is also being mixed into street drugs like, heroin, cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy/Molly) and methamphetamine. There have been reports of fentanyl being found in marijuana, however this is often due to cross contamination because drug dealers are selling more than one substance. The bottom line is you really don’t know what is in any substance that isn’t purchased from a legal retailer or pharmacy.

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Frequently asked questions

An analog refers to a compound that shares a similar structure with another compound, but with some differences in specific components. While some pharmaceutical companies have developed fentanyl analogs for legal medical purposes, illicit drug traffickers have also created their own versions to evade drug regulations.

Currently, there are 84 known fentanyl analogs listed on Wikipedia, and new ones continue to be developed. However, not all fentanyl analogs have the same level of potency. For example, carfentanyl is significantly stronger than fentanyl, being 100 times more potent (and 10,000 times more potent than morphine).

There are some legitimate online pharmacies, but before you make a purchase, it's critical to verify it's real. Nearly 95% of websites offering prescription drugs are operating illegally, which puts you at a much higher risk for encountering fake pills. The National Associate of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has developed a Safe Search tool that can help you verify the website. You can also see if a website is verified by looking for .pharmacy at the end of the web address. If it ends in .pharmacy, it has been verified by NABP.

According to the NABP, safe, verified online pharmacies will meet the following requirements:

Be licensed by regulators in the jurisdiction in which they are located, as well as regulators in the patient’s jurisdiction
Accept only valid prescriptions
Comply with applicable drug laws and professional practice laws
Provide readily accessible contact information for patient care inquiries
Comply with privacy laws and ensure patient confidentiality

Harm Reduction

Naloxone

Naloxone is a medication that is designed to reverse opioid overdose. It is now available over-the-counter. It works by binding to opioid receptors, which can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone.

Naloxone should be administered if a person is showing signs an overdose. After administering naloxone, the person should seek immediate medical attention because it is possible to overdose again when the naloxone wears off.

Signs of Overdose:

Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils"
Falling asleep/loss of consciousness/limp body
Shallow or slow breathing
Pale, blue, or ashen-colored skin
Choking or gurgling sounds

Find Naloxone

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In Connecticut

You can also take part in a free naloxone training. In Connecticut, contact your regional behavioral health action organization.

Fentanyl Test Strips

Fentanyl test strips can be used to identify the presence of fentanyl injectable drugs, powders, and pills. Although the tests are highly sensitive, it is possible that fentanyl is present in another part of the substance that wasn't tested.