Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid driving the overdose crisis. Learn its effects, risks, overdose signs, and treatment options.
Also known as: Apache · China Girl · Dance Fever · Goodfellas
Effects
- Intense, short-lived euphoria
- Drowsiness and sedation
- Slowed or stopped breathing
- Confusion and nausea
Risks
- Extremely high overdose risk - up to 100× more potent than morphine (about 50× heroin)
- Often mixed into other drugs without the user's knowledge
- Rapid physical dependence
- High risk of fatal respiratory depression
Overdose signs
- Pinpoint pupils
- Unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
- Blue or gray lips and fingertips
Treatment
Opioid use disorder is highly treatable with FDA-approved medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, combined with counseling and support. Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse an overdose if given in time.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. While it has legitimate medical uses for severe pain, illegally manufactured fentanyl is the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States.
Because it is so potent, even a very small amount can be fatal - and it is frequently mixed into counterfeit pills and other drugs without the user’s knowledge.
If you suspect an overdose
Call 911 immediately and administer naloxone (Narcan) if available. Naloxone is safe, widely available without a prescription, and can save a life.
Sources
Related guides
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your System?
How long fentanyl stays in your system - its short half-life, the urine, blood, saliva, and hair detection windows, and why standard opioid tests can miss it.
How to Respond to an Opioid Overdose
How to recognize an opioid overdose and respond - call 911, give naloxone, support breathing, and stay until help arrives. A clear, sourced guide.
Fentanyl Test Strips: How They Work and Their Limits
A plain-language guide to fentanyl test strips - what they detect, how they fit into harm reduction, what a result does and does not mean, and where to find help.