The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sounding the alarm about carfentanil, a synthetic opioid 100 times more lethal than fentanyl. Originally developed as an elephant tranquilizer, it’s now being mixed with other drugs to create a cheaper, potent product.
Two milligrams of carfentanil can kill 50 people, making it a highly deadly substance. The CDC has detected a rise in carfentanil-related deaths between 2021 and 2024, despite overall overdose death declines in the US.
Most users are unaware they’re taking carfentanil due to its widespread mixing with other substances. Naloxone, or Narcan, may not be enough to reverse a carfentanil overdose in one dose. Experts warn that the public should carry naloxone, be aware of counterfeit pills and illicit drugs containing carfentanil, report suspected overdoses immediately, and recognize its various forms, including pills, powders, and injectables.
The CDC is urging caution as carfentanil’s increasing presence poses a growing threat to public health.
Source: https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/12/06/cdc-warns-public-of-emerging-deadly-drug-100-times-stronger-than-fentanyl