BE PREPARED WITH NARCAN® NASAL SPRAY
Why Fentanyl Is So Incredibly Dangerous
Can You Buy Fentanyl Over the Counter?
Fentanyl Test Strips Lead To More Caution Among Illicit Drug Users
It may be laced into other illegal street drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, fake opioid pills, or methamphetamine (“meth”). It is relatively cheap to make and allows an illicit drug manufacturer to stretch their product, make it more powerful and addictive, and gain more money for themselves. A key tool in helping prevent overdose deaths is naloxone, which is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including fentanyl. Naloxone comes as a nasal spray (called NARCAN®) or injection. You can buy naloxone over the counter from a local pharmacy, and you do not need training or authorization to administer.
- It is important to call 911 for additional medical treatment, especially since the effects of xylazine may continue after naloxone is given.
- Having a high temperature can increase the amount of drug you absorb through your skin.
- They often contain fentanyl in potentially deadly amounts but are mislabeled as other opioids.
- § Healthcare providers may prescribe naloxone to patients who are at an increased risk of opioid overdose or who have household members, including children, who are at risk for accidental ingestion or opioid overdose.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is available only through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Xylazine is sometimes mixed with fentanyl or heroin and can cause serious side effects. Signs of an overdose of xylazine are similar to signs of an opioid overdose. It is increasingly common in the illicit drug markets blackweb in the Northeast United States. Naloxone may help in a xylazine overdose, but because xylazine is not an opioid, it is often not effective. If you suspect someone has overdosed on xylazine, call 911 immediately.
Is Fentanyl Available Over the Counter?
No, fentanyl is not available over the counter. It is a prescription medication that is typically used to treat severe pain, such as pain resulting from cancer. Fentanyl is available in several forms, including transdermal patches, lozenges, and injectable solutions. These forms of fentanyl are only available with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Why is Fentanyl Prescription-Only?
Fentanyl comes as a lozenge on a handle (Actiq), a sublingual (underneath the tongue) tablet (Abstral), a film (Onsolis), and a buccal (between the gum and cheek) tablet (Fentora) to dissolve in the mouth. Fentanyl is used as needed to treat breakthrough pain but not more often than four times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Fentanyl is in a class of medications called narcotic (opiate) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.
Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that can be extremely dangerous if used improperly. It is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse and dependence. When used as directed by a licensed healthcare provider, fentanyl can be an effective treatment for severe pain. However, if misused or taken in larger quantities than prescribed, fentanyl can cause serious harm or even death. Therefore, it is important that fentanyl is only available through a prescription to ensure that it is used safely and effectively.
In addition, a suite of pharmaceuticals were found to be non-interfering at levels of 100 ug/mL in a urine matrix [21, 22]. We have found that common stimulants and cutting agents that are often present in illicit drugs can create false positives. The problem arises from the cross-reactivity of the antibody for these other substances [23]. sites on dark web Although the affinity of the antibody for these substances is much lower than for fentanyl, if they are present at sufficiently high concentrations, they can cause a false positive result [24, 25]. As we consider the 4th wave of the pandemic, it can be expected that drug users will need to test stimulants to see if they contain fentanyl.
As mentioned above, many drug dealers mix the cheaper fentanyl with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine to increase their profits, making it often difficult to know which drug is causing the overdose. Naloxone is a medicine that can treat a fentanyl overdose when given right away. It works by rapidly binding to opioid receptors and blocking the effects of opioid drugs. But fentanyl is stronger than other opioid drugs like morphine and might require multiple doses of naloxone. Wisconsin DHS announced Thursday that 120,600 fentanyl test strips were distributed to organizations around the state in hopes of preventing drug overdose deaths.
What are the Risks of Fentanyl Misuse?
Misuse of fentanyl can result in serious health consequences, including respiratory depression, unconsciousness, coma, and even death. Fentanyl is also highly addictive, and individuals who misuse it may develop a tolerance to the drug, leading to increased use and a higher risk of overdose. In addition, fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, which can increase the risk of overdose and other adverse effects.
Conclusion
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is only available through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. It is not available over the counter and should never be taken without a valid prescription. Misuse of fentanyl can result how to go to dark web in serious health consequences, including addiction, overdose, and death. If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, it is important to seek help from a licensed healthcare provider or addiction treatment center.
