Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It was first synthesized in 1959 by Paul Janssen, a Belgian chemist, as a potential painkiller. Fentanyl is used medically to treat severe pain, such as cancer pain or pain after surgery. However, in recent years, fentanyl has become a drug of abuse and a significant public health concern due to its potential for misuse, addiction, and overdose.

Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II drug by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), meaning that it has a high potential for abuse and dependence. It is available in several forms, including tablets, patches, lozenges, and nasal sprays. Illicit fentanyl is often sold as a powder or mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine, without the user’s knowledge.

Fentanyl can be dangerous when used as prescribed or when misused. When used as prescribed, fentanyl can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion. These side effects can be more severe when fentanyl is misused or abused.

One of the most significant risks associated with fentanyl is overdose. Fentanyl overdose occurs when a person uses more fentanyl than their body can handle, leading to respiratory depression, coma, and death. Fentanyl is particularly dangerous because it is so potent that even a small amount can cause an overdose.

Fentanyl overdose symptoms include:

• Pinpoint pupils
• Extreme drowsiness or sedation
• Cold, clammy skin
• Blue lips and nails
• Respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing or not breathing at all)
• Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness

If you suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl, it is critical to call emergency services immediately.

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is a significant concern as it is often made in clandestine labs and sold on the black market. It can be mixed with other drugs, and users may not know what they are taking, leading to increased risk of overdose. IMF is often more potent than pharmaceutical fentanyl, making it even more dangerous.

Fentanyl is also dangerous for those who handle it, such as first responders and law enforcement. Exposure to fentanyl can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or absorption through the skin. Accidental exposure to fentanyl can cause overdose symptoms and even death. Those who handle fentanyl should wear protective equipment and follow proper handling procedures.

Fentanyl is a global public health concern, and its use and misuse have increased in recent years. In the United States, fentanyl-related overdose deaths have been rising since 2013, with a significant increase in 2020. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 93,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2020, with fentanyl or other synthetic opioids involved in nearly 70% of those deaths.

Fentanyl is also a concern in other countries, including Canada, where overdose deaths involving fentanyl have increased significantly in recent years. In Australia, fentanyl overdose deaths increased by 1,000% between 2010 and 2018.

Efforts to address the fentanyl crisis include increased public education, improved access to addiction treatment, and expanded access to naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdose. Law enforcement efforts to intercept illicit fentanyl and shut down clandestine labs are also critical.

In conclusion, fentanyl is a potent opioid that can be dangerous when used as prescribed or when misused. Fentanyl overdose can be deadly, and exposure to fentanyl can be dangerous for those who handle it. The misuse of fentanyl is a significant public health concern.