What is fentanyl? The drug that sweeps the US

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid pain reliever used to treat severe pain.

It is especially used in medical situations such as surgery, cancer, or chronic pain that does not respond to other medications. 

What is fentanyl? The drug that sweeps the US

Fentanyl is much more potent than morphine, another opioid commonly used for pain relief.

This medication works in the central nervous system, where it binds to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to reduce the perception of pain and change the body's response to pain. Due to its potency, fentanyl is prescribed in very small doses and must be administered under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

What does the drug fentanyl do?

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that acts on the central nervous system to relieve pain. When consumed medically and under the supervision of a health professional, fentanyl has the following actions and effects:

1. Pain relief: Fentanyl is primarily used to treat severe pain, such as that associated with surgery, cancer, or chronic pain that does not respond to other medications. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, thereby reducing the perception of pain and increasing pain tolerance.
2. Sedation and relaxation: Fentanyl can also cause sedation and a feeling of relaxation in people who take it. This can be beneficial in medical situations where anxiety and discomfort need to be reduced.
3. Side effects: Like other opioids, fentanyl can have side effects, which may include drowsiness, confusion, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and breathing difficulties.

It is important to note that fentanyl is a medication with a high potential for abuse and addiction. When used inappropriately or consumed in doses greater than prescribed, it can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Additionally, misuse of fentanyl can be dangerous and life-threatening due to its extreme potency, making it crucial that this medication be administered only under the supervision of a healthcare professional and according to precise medical indications.

How is fentanyl used as a drug?

Drug abuse of fentanyl in the United States and elsewhere often involves acquiring and using fentanyl illegally and without a prescription. This is dangerous and can have serious health consequences, including the possibility of overdose and death, due to the extreme potency of fentanyl.

In the United States, some of the ways fentanyl is used inappropriately include:

1. Black Market Purchase: Fentanyl is often found on the black market and can be sold as pills, powder, or mixed with other drugs. People seeking illicit drugs can acquire fentanyl this way.
2. Recreational use: Some people use it recreationally to experience its effects, such as euphoria and relaxation. However, this practice is extremely dangerous due to the potency of fentanyl and the risk of overdose.
3. Mixing with other substances: Fentanyl has often been found in illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine, increasing the risk of overdose when combined with other substances.
4. Illegal Manufacturing: In some cases, fentanyl can be manufactured illegally in clandestine laboratories and then distributed on the black market.

The opioid crisis in the United States has been largely driven by the abuse of substances such as fentanyl. This crisis has led to an increase in opioid-related overdoses and deaths. For this reason, health authorities and government agencies have taken steps to address this problem, including public education about the risks of fentanyl, expanding treatment programs for opioid addiction, and implementing measures to control the distribution of fentanyl and other prescription opioids.

Which is stronger, morphine or fentanyl?

Fentanyl is considerably stronger than morphine in terms of analgesic potency. Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids available in medical practice. Fentanyl is estimated to be at least 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine in its ability to relieve pain. This means that much smaller doses of fentanyl are required to achieve the same level of pain relief as you would get with morphine.

Due to its high potency, fentanyl is prescribed in very low doses and administered with caution, especially in medical situations where careful pain control is needed, such as surgery. However, this extreme potency also makes fentanyl particularly dangerous when used inappropriately or abused, as even a small additional amount can result in a serious or even fatal overdose.

Why is fentanyl so addictive?

Fentanyl is highly addictive due to its ability to act on the brain's reward system and cause changes in brain chemistry that can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Here are some reasons why fentanyl is so addictive:

1. Extreme potency: Fentanyl is one of the most powerful opioids available, being 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. This potency means that it can provide intense euphoria and rapid pain relief, which may be especially appealing to people looking for a pleasurable experience or who want to relieve their discomfort.
2. Tolerance: Over time, the body adapts to the presence of fentanyl and develops tolerance, meaning that increasing doses are required to achieve the same effects. This can lead people to increase their fentanyl use, increasing the risk of addiction.
3. Physical dependence: Continued use of fentanyl can lead to the development of physical dependence, meaning the body becomes chemically dependent on the substance to function normally. When a dependent person tries to stop using fentanyl, they may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as pain, nausea, vomiting, and anxiety, which may motivate them to continue using the drug to avoid these symptoms.
4. Brain reward: Fentanyl acts on the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward. This release of dopamine can create a strong feeling of euphoria, causing people to repeatedly seek out the drug to experience this pleasurable sensation.
5. Psychological and social factors: In addition to chemical effects, psychological and social factors can contribute to fentanyl addiction. These include stress, depression, peer pressure, and the environment in which a person finds themselves.