Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a schedule II prescription drug, and it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain, to manage pain after surgery or sometimes to treat patients with chronic pain. In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such names as Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®. Street names for fentanyl or for fentanyl-laced heroin include Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, TNT, and Tango and Cash.
How do people use fentanyl?
When prescribed by a physician, fentanyl is often administered via injection, transdermal patch, or in lozenges. However, the fentanyl and fentanyl analogs associated with recent overdoses are produced in clandestine laboratories. Non-pharmaceutical fentanyl is sold as a powder; spiked on blotter paper; mixed with or substituted for heroin; or as tablets that mimic other, less potent opioids. People can swallow, snort, or inject fentanyl, or they can put blotter paper in their mouths so fentanyl is absorbed through the mucous membrane.
How does fentanyl affect the brain?
Like heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors, which are found in areas of the brain that control pain and
emotions. When opioid drugs bind to these receptors, they can drive up dopamine levels in the brain’s reward areas, producing a state of euphoria and relaxation. Fentanyl’s effects resemble those of heroin and include euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, confusion, constipation, sedation, tolerance, addiction, respiratory depression and arrest, unconsciousness, coma, and death.
Points to Remember
When prescribed by a physician, fentanyl is often administered via injection,
- Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more potent.
- Non-pharmaceutical fentanyl is sold as a powder; spiked on blotter paper; mixed with or substituted for heroin; or as tablets that mimic other, less potent opioids.
- Fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors, which are in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions.
- The high potency of fentanyl greatly increases risk of overdose and death.
Why is fentanyl dangerous?
Fentanyl can be mixed with heroin or cocaine amplifying its potency and potential dangers.