San Diego issues alert after drug stronger than fentanyl found in fake pills
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A public safety & health alert has been issued in San Diego after a drug significantly more lethal than fentanyl was found in counterfeit pills.
The San Diego District Attorney's Office, San Diego Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) and San Diego/Imperial HIDTA have issued the alert after carfentanil -- a synthetic opioid 100 times stronger than fentanyl used for tranquilizing elephants and other large mammals -- was found in fake “M-30” pills in the San Diego region.
The DA's office says it only takes a small amount of carfentanil to kill someone, and that Narcan (naloxone) might not work to reverse an overdose from the synthetic opioid.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports carfentanil is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. The drug can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled.
Some signs of an overdose from carfentanil include stopped or slowed breathing, blue/gray skin, unconsciousness, and/or gurgling or rattling sounds.
The DEA offers tips if you believe you have come in contact with the drug:
- Exercise extreme caution
- Only properly trained and outfitted law enforcement professionals should handle any substance suspected to contain fentanyl or a fentanyl-related compound.
- Be aware of any sign of exposure
- Symptoms include respiratory depression or arrest, drowsiness, disorientation, sedation, pinpoint pupils, and clammy skin, which usually occurs within minutes of exposure.
- Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention
- Administer naloxone in the event of exposure
- Immediately administering naloxone can reverse an overdose of carfentanil, fentanyl, or other opioids, although multiple doses of naloxone may be required. Continue to administer a dose of naloxone every 2-3 minutes until the individual is breathing on his/her own for at least 15 minutes or until EMS arrives.
- Carfentanil can resemble powdered cocaine or heroin
The DA's office noted the fake pills are partially dangerous because carfentanil might not be detected with fentanyl test strips and emphasized a negative test result does not mean the pill is safe.
