You’re right. Here’s DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Public health officials and law enforcement agencies across the United States are warning about a dangerous synthetic opioid known as cyclorphine that is increasingly appearing in the illicit drug supply and has been linked to overdose deaths in multiple states.
According to health experts, cyclorphine is a laboratory-created synthetic opioid that is believed to be significantly more potent than fentanyl. Officials warn the drug is often mixed into counterfeit prescription pills and other street drugs without the user’s knowledge, increasing the risk of accidental overdose.
The emerging drug has been linked to fatal overdoses in several states, including Tennessee, California, Illinois and Ohio. Experts say cyclorphine presents a unique challenge because it may not be detected by standard fentanyl test strips commonly used to identify dangerous substances.
Health officials say cyclorphine is part of a growing trend involving highly potent synthetic opioids entering the illegal drug market. Another group of substances raising concerns are nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids originally developed in the 1950s but never approved for medical use. Certain nitazene compounds are believed to be many times stronger than morphine and fentanyl.
Because of their extreme potency, even very small amounts of these substances can cause respiratory failure and death. Medical professionals warn that overdoses involving cyclorphine and nitazenes may require multiple doses of naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, to reverse their effects.
Officials also caution that these drugs are frequently pressed into counterfeit pills designed to resemble legitimate prescription medications, including oxycodone and alprazolam. In some cases, they are mixed with other illicit drugs without the user’s knowledge.
Health experts encourage individuals to only take medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacy and to never consume pills obtained from unofficial sources.
Anyone who suspects an overdose should immediately call 911 and administer naloxone if it is available. Public health officials say quick action can save lives while emergency responders are en route.
