It is relatively cheap to make and allows an illicit drug manufacturer to stretch their product, make it more powerful and addictive, and gain more money for themselves. A key tool in helping prevent overdose deaths is naloxone, which is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including fentanyl. Naloxone comes as a nasal spray (called NARCAN®) or injection.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used to treat severe pain. It is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and has a high potential for abuse. Due to its potency and potential for misuse, fentanyl is a controlled substance in many countries.
Is it Legal to Buy Fentanyl Over the Counter?
Questions About The Oregon Health Plan?
For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These particular pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late. Medications for opioid use disorders—including fentanyl use disorder—are safe, effective, and save lives. These medicines interact with the same opioid receptors in the brain on which fentanyl acts, but they do not produce the same effects.
In most countries, including the United States and Canada, it is illegal to buy fentanyl over the counter. Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it can only be dispensed with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. This is because of the high risk of addiction, overdose, and death associated with fentanyl use.
Unlocking Federal Funding For Fentanyl Test Strips Will Save Lives
Why is Fentanyl Controlled?
Fentanyl is highly addictive and can cause respiratory depression, which can lead to overdose and death. It is also commonly mixed with other substances, such as heroin or cocaine, without the user’s knowledge, increasing the risk of overdose. Due to these dangers, fentanyl is tightly regulated to prevent misuse and protect public health.
Help For First Responders And Health Care Workers
And bills to legalize them are pending in almost every remaining state where they are still barred, as they are considered drug paraphernalia. However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illegally made fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Five or six times a day, a man from Texas injects a dose of carefully measured fentanyl. He does it when he wakes up and before he goes to work, and sometimes on breaks.
Where Can I Get Fentanyl?
If you have a legitimate medical need for fentanyl, you can obtain it with a prescription from your doctor. Fentanyl is typically prescribed for severe pain that is not adequately controlled with other medications. Your doctor will closely monitor your use of fentanyl to minimize the risk of addiction and overdose.
The approval of OTC Narcan nasal spray will require a change in the labeling for the currently approved 4 mg generic naloxone nasal spray products that rely on Narcan as their reference listed drug product. Manufacturers of these products will be required to submit a supplement to their applications to effectively switch their products to OTC status. The approval may also affect the status of other brand-name naloxone nasal spray products of 4 mg or less, but determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis and the FDA may contact other firms as needed. False positives may occur, the strips do not tell you how much fentanyl is present or how potent it is, and not all states consider the strips legal. Fentanyl is estimated to be about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as a pain reliever. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health has issued a health alert warning residents that fentanyl and other illicit narcotics have been found in pharmaceuticals in Mexico.
- Since 1999, more than 750,000 deaths have been attributed to an opioid-induced overdose [2].
- The Texas Targeted Opioid Response supports treatment and recovery providers across the state.
- Making naloxone available more widely is seen as a key strategy to control the nationwide overdose crisis, which has been linked to more than 100,000 U.S. deaths a year.
- Fentanyl is used widely in medicine for the treatment of severe pain.
Can I Buy Fentanyl Online?
It is illegal to buy fentanyl online without a prescription. Many websites that claim to sell fentanyl without a prescription are operating illegally and may be selling counterfeit or contaminated products. Purchasing fentanyl from these sources is extremely dangerous and should be avoided.
Injectable naloxone is sold by several companies, and it can be injected into a muscle, under the skin, or into a vein. The nasal spray, which comes in a generic form and is sold under a few brand names, including Narcan, is a pre-filled device that should be sprayed into one nostril. “There is a chance that insurers may use the presence of over-the-counter naloxone to reduce insurance coverage of prescribed naloxone to transfer the cost from insurers to patients,” she says.
What Should I Do if I Suspect Someone is Abusing Fentanyl?
If you suspect that someone you know is abusing fentanyl, it is important to seek help immediately. Signs of fentanyl abuse include drowsiness, confusion, pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, and unconsciousness. Contact emergency services or a healthcare provider for assistance.
Overall, it is not legal or safe to buy fentanyl over the counter. If you have a legitimate medical need for fentanyl, speak to your doctor about obtaining a prescription. Remember to always use fentanyl as directed by your healthcare provider to minimize the risk of addiction and overdose.
