Facts About Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and one of the deadliest drugs on the street today. Even a tiny amount can stop a person’s breathing. These facts about fentanyl explain why it is so dangerous and how you can protect yourself and the people you love.

How Strong Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Doctors do prescribe it legally, for example to manage severe pain after surgery. However, most of the fentanyl on the street comes from illegal labs. Because no one controls the dose, a single pill can be fatal. In fact, an amount smaller than a pencil eraser can kill an adult.

Fentanyl Often Hides in Other Drugs

Dealers often mix fentanyl into heroin, cocaine, and meth. They also press it into fake pills that look like real prescriptions, such as oxycodone or Xanax. You can’t see, smell, or taste it. As a result, many people take fentanyl without knowing it.

Someone may believe they are buying heroin or a painkiller. Instead, they get a dose strong enough to cause an overdose. DEA lab testing in 2022 found that six out of ten fake pills laced with fentanyl held a potentially deadly dose.

Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose

Watch for these warning signs:

• Very small, “pinpoint” pupils
• Falling asleep or passing out
• Slow, weak, or no breathing
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• A limp body
• Cold, clammy, or discolored skin

What to Do in an Emergency

First, call 911 right away. Next, give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose, and it won’t harm someone who hasn’t taken opioids. Then, stay with the person until help arrives. If they stop responding, roll them onto their side so they don’t choke.

Why These Facts About Fentanyl Matter

Fentanyl is a major cause of overdose deaths in the United States. That’s why talking openly about it can save lives. Share these facts about fentanyl with friends and family, especially teens and young adults. Also, remind them that any pill not from a pharmacy could be fake.

Learn more about fentanyl at justthinktwice.gov.