Why Fentanyl is Proving to Be Exceedingly Dangerous
According to the Vermont Department of Health, three deaths in Addison County were attributed to user’s ingesting pure Fentanyl. One of the interesting facts that came up during the investigation into these fatal overdoses was the fact that the substance was likely sold as heroin, despite the fact that it may be upwards of 50 times as powerful. This is not the first time that the drug is responsible for fatal overdoses either. There were several people who died in the Buffalo, N.Y. area last summer, at least 22 deaths in Rhode Island, and more than a dozen in the Pittsburgh area. With this substance clearly being a potent killer, it is worth exploring what this substance is. How did it become to be a popular option on the black market?
A Little Bit of History About the Substance
Paul Janssen was the first individual to synthesize Fentanyl in 1959. The first trade name of the drug was Sublimaze and it was introduced as an intravenous anesthetic. Around the mid-1990s, the Duragesic patch was first introduced after undergoing clinical trials. The patient wears patches that consist of select doses of the drug that are mixed with an inert alcohol gel. This ensures that for a period of 48 to 72 hours, the patient has constant administration of the opioid.
After the initial success of the patch, it led to the introduction of the brand name Actiq – a flavored lollipop of Fentanyl citrate that comes with different fillers. This was the first time that the drug was used to treat chronic pain. It is a potent narcotic analgesic with a rapid onset. It also does not take too long before the effects wear off again. It is a synthetic primary μ-opioid agonist. When compared to morphine, it is about 50 to 100 times more potent. This means that 10 mg of morphine is about the equivalent of 100 micrograms of Fentanyl.
What are the Effects on the Body?
Like other opioid drugs such as morphine and heroin, Fentanyl binds itself to the opiate receptors in the body. These receptors are highly concentrated in those areas of the brain that control emotions and pain. This can lead to a state of euphoria and relaxation because these substances bind to the receptors, meaning that the dopamine levels in the brain ‘overflow’. There are specific medications available that block the effects of opiate drugs – these are called opiate receptor antagonists. Unless a user has an opiate antagonist available, chances are that a possible overdose with Fentanyl is fatal.
The most common form of administration when prescribed by a physician is through a lozenge, transdermal patch or injection. Most of the substance that has been linked to the recent fatal overdoses is generally produced in clandestine laboratories.
When someone mixes the substance with cocaine or heroin, it amplifies the potency of the drug and the potential dangers for the user. Some of the dangers include addiction, tolerance, coma, unconsciousness, sedation, constipation, confusion, nausea, drowsiness, respiratory depression, arrest and euphoria. It is classified as a schedule II prescription drug.
Understanding the Potency
Because of the tremendously potent nature of the drug, it is one of the strongest opioid medications available today. While some may question the concept of having such a powerful substance available, there is a variety of patients who have a genuine need for these substances. One of the better examples is patients with advanced forms of cancer. These patients may experience such powerful and persistent pain that it would make life miserable without proper pain management. Alternatively, other forms of pain control may leave them feeling uncomfortable.
Although there are many reasonable uses for the substance, the fact that it comes in a number of different formats is not surprising. According to the latest available reports from the IMS Health organization, the first quarter of 2011 saw 1.73 million prescriptions for Fentanyl dispensed throughout the nation. Unfortunately, while many of these prescriptions made life tolerable for people struggling with constant pain, a lot of this narcotic fell into the hands of the illicit drug trade.
Why is this Becoming Popular?
The obvious ‘replacement’ overdoses aside, Fentanyl has become increasingly popular amongst people who abuse opiates such as OxyContin. Most people who use those substances are unable to function normally or interact properly and feel somewhat altered for hours. Yet the people who use Fentanyl suggest that they have no negative aftermath – it merely wears off and they feel fine.
Another reason it has become increasingly popular is that it is difficult to detect in blood and urine screenings. Because of the substance’s different chemical structure, most of the standard drug tests do not detect the presence of this substance. This is another reason that people may make the switch.
The Dangers of Abuse
Because of its power, Fentanyl is considered intensely dangerous even amongst all opioid drugs being abuse. It is a powerful narcotic that is hard to forget, especially because it causes dramatic changes inside the brain. Those who use it may start on the road to addiction almost instantly because they believe that the drug offers them a transformative experience. Because our brain will remember dramatic experiences vividly, our brain cells are calling for a repeat performance of the same behavior.
Despite its increased strength, the body can start to develop a tolerance to the drug. As we become accustomed to having the drug in our system, the intoxicating molecule may be met with indifference instead of euphoria. This means that people take larger and larger doses each time to feel the same pleasurable sensations.
Unfortunately, when taken in high doses, Fentanyl can also cause very slow breathing rates along with seizures. Another issue is that drug dealers have started to make their own version of the narcotic. Instead of using specific ingredients that they are unable to obtain, they simply replace the ingredients with something ‘similar’. This could lead to a fatal overdose or negative drug reactions.