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Understanding Fentanyl: A Quick Overview
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, often prescribed for severe pain management, particularly in patients who are tolerant to other opioids. While it can be beneficial in a medical context, its misuse raises significant health risks, including addiction and overdose.
When buying online, use extreme caution to be sure the tests are valid. Distributors in the US sell counterfeit pills on social media, appealing to a younger, more opioid naïve audience that use social media apps. Opioid naïve individuals are at high risk of accidental overdose because they do not have a tolerance for opioids, may not have access to naloxone, and may not know how to decrease overdose risk. Some WA State syringe services programs can provide fentanyl test strips. You can’t see, smell or taste fentanyl when it’s mixed with other drugs.
Prefer a confidential in-person session with a peer educator? SHOP has drop-in info sessions at the Student Health Center with the Party Safe Team. Drop-in for a 15 minute session to learn how to use Narcan & Fentanyl Test Strips and get your questions answered. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website.
If you use drugs, you may be at risk for taking fentanyl without even knowing it. Like heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors, which are found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. After taking opioids many times, the brain adapts to the drug, diminishing its sensitivity, making it hard to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug.
Anyone can buy a press to make pills that look just like prescription drugs these days. Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative that is approved by FDA for animal use, but not for people. Xylazine is increasingly added to other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl to enhance the effect or increase street value. Xylazine is dangerous because it can depress breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature to critical levels and, in combination with fentanyl, can make overdose reversal challenging.
Research has shown that people who use fentanyl test strips often make changes that can keep them safer. In one study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 70% of participants said they would change their behavior if they knew the drugs they used contained fentanyl. Of course, the safest option is not to use illegal drugs at all or to seek out a drug addiction treatment program if you need help stopping. But if you’re going to use street drugs, testing them for fentanyl first might save your life. Fentanyl test strips are paper strips used to detect the presence of fentanyl in injectable substances, powders, and pills. The tests also check for many variations of fentanyl known as analogs.
Where Can You Buy Fentanyl Safely?
During the height of the pandemic in 2020, USC neuroscience student Isabella Gianatiempo said, one of her peers died after unwittingly taking a lethal mixture of drugs. The death sparked a conversation about the increased number of drug-related overdoses — three of which were linked to drugs containing fentanyl — on the school campus. As our county vice agents fight back against what’s being sold on the streets, fentanyl patch users can take extra safety measures as well.
If you have questions about a fentanyl prescription that you received from a healthcare provider, talk to your pharmacist or primary care provider. Fentanyl use can increase your risk of overdose, especially if you do not regularly use opioids. Anyone who uses drugs that may contain fentanyl, even occasionally, may be at risk of overdose. Many of the opioid pills and powders sold on the street are fake. They often contain fentanyl in potentially deadly amounts but are mislabeled as other opioids.
Purchasing fentanyl should be conducted with extreme caution. It is crucial to obtain this medication through legitimate channels to ensure safety and legality.
- Licensed Pharmacies: The most reliable place to buy fentanyl is through a licensed pharmacy. Patients need a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.
- Hospitals or Clinics: Medical facilities may provide fentanyl through treatment protocols for those requiring pain management.
- Specialty Pain Management Centers: These centers focus on chronic pain treatment and may offer fentanyl as part of their care plans.
Online Purchases: A Risky Avenue
While some websites might claim to sell fentanyl, it is essential to recognize the dangers involved:
- Legitimacy Issues: Many online vendors are not regulated, leading to questions about the product’s authenticity and safety.
- Legal Consequences: Buying fentanyl without a prescription can lead to severe legal repercussions.
- Health Risks: Acquiring fentanyl from unofficial sources raises the risk of overdose, due to potential contamination or incorrect dosage.
FAQs about Purchasing Fentanyl
Results
Q1: Can you buy fentanyl over the counter?
- Now, for that amount, he can get enough fentanyl to last more than three weeks.
- 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.
- The sampling methodology was selected to capture the voices of people who used a diverse range of drugs; this resulted in a trade-off of being able to achieve thematic saturation by drug type.
- Fentanyl is the main driver of opioid overdose deaths in Washington state.
A1: No, fentanyl is a controlled substance that requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Q2: What should you do if you believe you need fentanyl?
A2: Consult with a medical professional who can evaluate your condition and determine whether fentanyl is appropriate for your treatment.
Q3: Are there alternatives to fentanyl?
A3: Yes, there are various pain management options available that may be less potent and have a lower risk of addiction. Discuss with your doctor.
Q4: How can you tell if fentanyl is legitimate?
A4: Authentic fentanyl will come with a prescription label from a licensed pharmacy. Be wary of any discrepancies in packaging or prescription details.
Conclusion
Given the potential risks associated with fentanyl, it is of utmost importance to seek this medication through appropriate and legal channels. The safety and health of individuals should always come first when considering pain management options.