Fentanyl, a drug 50 times more powerful than heroin

Prince He was an American singer who will be remembered for being one of the great musical icons of the 80s. Although he was always in the shadow of michael jackson, was the great innovator of black music with his unique stamp that shaped a rather psychedelic funk-pop. Some of his best known songs are: Purple Rain (1984) and Sign O'The Times (1987). Prince continued to be an innovative artist until this past April, when a powerful opiate called fentanyl forever muffled his voice.

Until fairly recently, most people didn't know what fentanyl was, which in recent months has become a of the favorite drugs of the Mexican cartels, This is because it is a very powerful and very popular substance in the United States Joined. In fact, it is a very profitable drug, according to the North American authorities.

There are many types of drugs. Learn more about the different psychoactive substances in our article: "Types of drugs: know their characteristics and effects"

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is one of the most powerful opioids on the market..

It is used as an anesthetic in the operating room, for breakthrough cancer pain, and for recovery from surgery. It is a potent synthetic opioid agonist, belonging to the group of narcotics, derived from phenylpiperidine, and is highly soluble in lipids.

Structurally it is similar to meperidine, alfentanil, and sufentanil. fentanyl was first synthesized in 1960 by a Belgian pharmacist, but in recent months it has stormed the streets of American and Canadian towns and cities, becoming an epidemic that is leaving a trail of deaths.

Methods of administration, effects and dangers

Fentanyl comes in several forms: injection, skin patch, mouth film, or lollipop device, instant dissolving lozenges with intraoral absorption and inhalers of fentanyl. The injection is usually common in hospitals. And for the individual using it outside of the hospital setting it is extremely dangerous., since the difference between the therapeutic dose and the lethal dose is very small.

As with other opioids, the most common symptoms of its abuse are: euphoria, analgesia, drowsiness or lethargy. Fentanyl causes tolerance at high doses, so a suitable dose may vary from week to week.

There are many unwanted symptoms that can appear with the consumption of this opioid:

• dizziness and lightheadedness
• Dry mouth
• Urinary retention
• breath suppression
• severe constipation
• itching or hives
• nausea and vomiting
• loss of appetite
• Weightloss
• Headache
• difficulty seeing
• Depression
• hallucinations
• Nightmares
• Difficulty to sleep
• sweating
• tremors
• Swelling in the extremities

Fentanyl Addiction: America's New Epidemic

Fentanyl may have been made popular around the globe by Prince's death, but the truth is that for some time drug traffickers have realized the potential business of this drug in the market illegal. An exhaustive medical examination carried out on the pop star confirmed death from an overdose due to the consumption of this substance, ending weeks of speculation.

Since then, In the United States there are several organizations that have sent an alert signal due to the increase in the consumption of fentanyl in this country (also in its neighboring country, Canada). Because the most powerful painkiller used by doctors is being sold on the streets, causing several deaths. As explained by Centers for Disease Control to the CNN, "we are facing a new public health crisis."

In addition, as confirmed by the US authorities located on the border with Mexico: “Mexican cartels not only receive shipments of fentanyl from China. It has been detected that they themselves are producing this drug in their clandestine laboratories, as the demand for opiates by US citizens is growing.

A highly dangerous and deadly drug

Drug experts are concerned, as in the United States there are still deaths almost daily. A few weeks ago, the British newspaper Meter reported the dangers of this drug and confirmed the death of 10 people in just twelve days in the state of Sacramento.

One of the victims was Jerome Bruner, who died after taking fentanyl thinking it was a low-risk pain reliever. His mother, Natasha, in statements to the newspaper itself, said: “His organs were affected, his liver was affected, his kidneys were affected. His brain was swollen. The doctor said that he could not do anything to save her life.

The Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States states: “Illegally manufactured fentanyl is 20 to 100 times more potent than heroin. The drug used to treat cancer pain is very strong and can easily overdose, even in regular hard drug users.”

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