The Lethal Truth About Synthetic Opioids (Feature Article 2)

Synthetic opioids are man-made lab-grown opioids made up of several chemicals. Some are made using non-synthetic opioids like morphine as a base then adding chemicals to enhance it. Synthetic opioids are extremely lethal and are the main cause of opioid overdoses each year. 

U-47700

U-47700(U4) is a chemically made opioid that is primarily imported from China, it's very potent and like fentanyl takes very little to fatal. (U-47700 (pink) drug: Effects, Hazards & warnings) U4 was originally made as a potent painkiller for surgery and cancer in the 70s. U4 is typically sold in powder form and resembles cocaine but can also be pressed like a pill to memic legal opioids. The powder is usually a white, pink color which is why it is sometimes called “pink” or “pinky”. U4 causes numbness, cold or clammy skin, euphoria, seizures, psychosis, itching, constipation, and respiratory distress that can be fatal. (U-47700 (pink) drug: Effects, Hazards & warnings) U4 is highly potent and majorly contributes to the rate of death from opioids.

Acrylfentanyl

Acrylfentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is essentially fentanyl but stronger, the effects last longer than fentanyl and it is more potent than fentanyl. (Farache) Acrylfentanyl is sold in powder form like Heroin. It's extremely hard to reverse Acrylfentanyl overdoses, it takes more than one dose of Narcan to reverse the effects if reversible at all. (Farache)  This is so dangerous as it is so easy to get and is not being monitored by the FDA since it is an illegal substance. This shows how lethal Acrylfentanyl can be and how it affects the rate of opioid overdoses.

Isotonitazene

Isotonitazene (ISO) is a synthetic opioid that is lab-grown and man-made, it is newer to the market than some other synthetic opioids. “In its pure form, ISO is typically found as a white or off-white powder. But more commonly, ISO is mixed into other drugs or contained inside “pressed pills” meant to resemble prescription medications such as oxycodone or Dilaudid.” (Staff What is the isotonitazene (ISO) drug?) It is up to 20 times more fatal than Fentanyl and is 70-120 times more fatal than Morphine. Physical effects of taking Isotonitazene include sweats, nausea,flu-like symptoms, and a runny nose mental/ emotional effects are restlessness and anxiety. (Staff What is the isotonitazene (ISO) drug?) This shows how ISO potentially plays a part in the rising rate of synthetic opioid fatalities.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic lab-grown opioid used to help relieve pain from surgery, this drug is 50 -100 times more fatal than Morphine sadly, it is widely abused and sold illicitly. (Fentanyl) The FDA is not monitoring Fentanyl despite the fact that it can be used for medical reasons. This makes it extremely easy for anyone to get their hands on, especially with the new ways they are making it less expensive. Fentanyl is sold in liquid, powder, and pill form. It shows how hazardous Fentanyl is and how it can contribute to opioid overdose.

Carfentanil

Carfentanil is a synthetic drug that is more than 10,000 times more potent than Morphine and 100 times more potent than Fentanyl. (Officer Safety Alert) This synthetic opioid unlike the rest was originally used on animals, it is used to tranquilize elephants and other large animals. (Five quick facts: Carfentanil) Carfentanil is sold in powder form and resembles Cocaine and Heroin. Carfentanil can cause dizziness, shallow breathing, clammy skin, and possibly even heart failure “This drug is so powerful it poses a significant threat to first responders and law enforcement personnel who touch it by accident. In addition, people can overdose on carfentanil quickly. Multiple doses of the anti-overdose drug Narcan may not be effective.” (Five quick facts: Carfentanil) It shows how terrifyingly lethal Carfentanil is and shows how it adds to the rate of opioid overdoses. 

FDA not monitoring synthetic opioids

The FDA is the Food and Drug Administration. It is in place to help make sure the food and drugs we are consuming are safe for us by testing and monitoring them. That being said, it's very important that our food and medications are going through their testing. Synthetic opioids like Fentanyl, Carfentanil, and Acrylfentanyl are not tested or tracked by the FDA which is what makes them so dangerous. They aren't being monitored and there's no way for us to know if they are even moderately safe to consume. This also makes it easier for people to get their hands on. Without someone or something in place to overlook distribution and regulations, it is not very hard to make and sell these Synthetic Opioids. In Henry County, I had a friend whose dad would buy the things needed and would make Fentanyl laced products. He would then sell it to various people and would even use his oldest son to help distribute the drugs. Luckily he was caught and is currently serving time for his crimes however many lives were permanently changed because of how easy it was for him to make and sell these unregulated synthetic opioid products.

(The FDA when it comes to synthetic opioids)

Synthetic opioid deaths: how we can prevent it

Synthetic opioids are extremely fatal and lead to so many deaths. “From 2013 to 2019, the synthetic opioid-involved death rate increased 1,040%, from 1.0 to 11.4 per 100,000 age-adjusted (3,105 to 36,359).” (Mattson et al.) “From 2018 to 2019, the largest relative increase in the synthetic opioid-involved death rate occurred in the West  (67.9%)” (Mattson et al.) While some of these deaths were from laced products and not only addiction it is still very important to spread awareness about the dangers of synthetic opioids. We have the power to educate others and prevent synthetic opioid overdose. One way we can avoid the use of these opioids is by bettering our treatment centers for those who struggle with drug use if we can make our treatment centers better we can lower the number of people who go back to drugs and can prevent them from turning to synthetics. (Ahrens et al.) Our treatment centers need more personalized treatment plans as currently, most offer a general substance abuse plan. They also need a more supportive environment, not many of the workers there are kind and caring and a good caring environment can help someone's recovery tremendously. Another thing we can do to avoid the use of synthetic opioids is to spread awareness and educate people about the dangers of these synthetic drugs. This can be done through social media posts on synthetic opioids, flyers on the dangers of the different synthetic opioids, or even an article like this. 

Wrapping it up...

There is so much that can be done and so much that needs to be done to put a stop to the use of synthetic opioids. Drugs like Fentanyl, Carfentanil, Isotonitazene, Acrylfentanyl, and U-47700 are all out there on the streets. Every day someone new falls victim to these heinous drugs. These drugs do not care about your family, friends, or even your life. A friend of mine saw a video on social media saying how every 13 seconds someone dies from a fentanyl overdose, the account posts every day a new person's story about how they lost a loved one to Fentanyl. It is up to us to protect those we love by educating them on these vicious drugs and how to prevent the addiction of them. Though our treatment centers could be better if someone you know is struggling with addiction it's highly encouraged to get them into one as they can help with detoxing and setting up a treatment plan. The Food and Drug Administration is not taking extra steps to ensure the monitoring of these opioids which does make it harder to avoid addictions and overdoses but it doesn't make it impossible. Recovery is possible with the right motivation, love, support, and help from those around you. Let us put an end to the growing rate of synthetic opioid addiction and overdose.

Ahrens, Kym, et al. “Prevention of Opioid Use and Disorder Among Youth Involved in the Legal System: Innovation and Implementation of Four Studies Funded by the NIDA HEAL Initiative.” Prevention Science, Suppl. 1, vol. 24, Oct. 2023, pp. 99–110. ProQuest Central, https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-023-01566-6. 

Drug Enforcement Administration. “Officer Safety Alert.” Drug Enforcement Administration, July 2018. 

Farache, David. “Acrylfentanyl: The Dangers of Use and Addiction.” Recovery in Tune, 11 Sept. 2024, www.recoveryintune.com/blog/acrylfentanyl/. 

“Fentanyl Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Apr. 2024, www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/fentanyl-facts.html. 

“Fentanyl.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dec. 2021, nida.nih.gov/research-topics/fentanyl. 

Fisher, Percival. “What Is Isotonitazene?” Edited by Johnelle Smith, Addiction Resource, 22 Mar. 2023, www.addictionresource.net/blog/what-is-isotonitazene/. 

“Five Quick Facts: Carfentanil.” Five Quick Facts: Carfentanil | Get Smart About Drugs, 28 Mar. 2024, www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/five-quick-facts-carfentanil. 

Staff, Lakeview Health. “What Is the Isotonitazene (ISO) Drug?” Lakeview Health, 18 Dec. 2023, www.lakeviewhealth.com/blog/isotonitazene-iso-drug/. 

Mattson, Christine L., et al. “Trends and Geographic Patterns in Drug and Synthetic Opioid Overdose Deaths - United States, 2013-2019.” MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, vol. 70, no. 6, Feb. 2021, pp. 202–07. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7006a4. 

“U-47700 (Pink) Drug: Effects, Hazards & Warnings.” Drugs.Com, 2021, www.drugs.com/illicit/u-47700.html.