Fentanyl

What is fentanyl?

Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain.¹ It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.

However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl.² It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects.

Learn More: Fentanyl Data

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2017 Prescription Behavior Surveillance System (PBSS) Report pdf icon[PDF – 512 KB]

Deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl are on the rise.

Rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which includes fentanyl, increased 10% from 2017 to 2018. Over 31,000 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids (other than methadone) in 2018.³

Reports from law enforcement indicate that much of the synthetic opioid overdose increase may be due to illegally or illicitly made fentanyl. According to data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), confiscations, or seizures, of fentanyl increased by nearly 7 fold from 2012 to 2014. There were 4,585 fentanyl confiscations in 2014.⁴ This suggests that the sharp rise in fentanyl-related deaths may be due to increased availability of illegally made, non-pharmaceutical fentanyl, and not prescribed fentanyl.

The number of states reporting 20 or more fentanyl confiscations every six months is increasing. From July to December 2014, 18 states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations. By comparison, six states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations from July to December 2013.

What can be done?

CDC suggests the following actions in response to increases in fentanyl-related overdose deaths:

Improve detection of fentanyl outbreaks

• Public health departments:
  Explore methods for more rapidly detecting drug overdose outbreaks, including fentanyl.
• Medical examiners and coroners:
  Screen for fentanyl in suspected opioid overdose cases in regions reporting increases in fentanyl confiscations, fentanyl-related overdose fatalities or unusually high spikes in heroin or unspecified drug overdose fatalities. Not all jurisdictions routinely test for fentanyl.
• Law enforcement:
  Law enforcement can play an important role identifying and responding to increases in the distribution and use of illegally-made fentanyl.

Expand Use of Naloxone

Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid-related overdoses, including heroin and fentanyl, and is a critical tool in preventing fatal opioid overdoses.^5.6  Depending on state and local laws, this medication can be administered by EMS, law enforcement,⁷ other drug users,⁸ or family and friend bystanders who have obtained the medication.⁹

• Health Care Providers:
  Multiple doses of naloxone may need to be administered per overdose event because of fentanyl’s high potency relative to other opioids.¹⁰
• Harm reduction organizations:
  Conduct trainings on naloxone use to persons at risk for opioid-related overdose and their friends and family members.¹¹

References

1. Algren D, Monteilh C, Rubin C, et al. Fentanyl-associated fatalities among illicit drug users in Wayne County, Michigan (July 2005-May 2006).external icon Journal Of Medical Toxicology: Official Journal of the American College Of Medical Toxicology [serial online]. March 2013; 9(1):106-115.
2. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA Investigative Reporting, January 2015.
3. Wilson N, Kariisa M, Seth P, et al. Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths—United States, 2017-2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:290-297.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Health Advisory: Increases in Fentanyl Drug Confiscations and Fentanyl-related Overdose Fatalities. HAN Health Advisory. October 26, 2015.
5. Department of Health and Human Services. Opioid Abuse in the United States and Department of Health and Human Services Actions to Address Opioid-Drug-Related Overdoses and Deathsexternal icon. Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy [serial online]. June 2015; 29(2):133-139.
6. SAMHSA. Opioid Overdose Toolkit.pdf iconexternal icon 2018.
7. Davis C, Carr D, Southwell J, Beletsky L. Engaging law enforcement in overdose reversal initiatives: Authorization and liability for naloxone administrationexternal icon. American Journal of Public Health [serial online]. June 11, 2015.
8. Walley A, Xuan Z, Hackman H, et al. Opioid overdose rates and implementation of overdose education and nasal naloxone distribution in Massachusetts: interrupted time series analysis.external icon BMJ 2013:346: 1-12.
9. Wheeler E, Jones T, Gilbert M, et al. Opioid overdose prevention programs providing naloxone to laypersons – United States, 2014. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report [serial online]. June 19, 2015; 64(23):631-635.
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes from the field: Acetyl fentanyl overdose fatalities – Rhode Island, March-May 2013. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report [serial online]. August 30, 2013; 62(34):703-704.
11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs: Demographic and Substance Use Trends Among Heroin Users — United States, 2002–2013. MMWR 2015; 64(26);719-725.