Carfentanil

Carfentanil –

An extremely potent synthetic opioid, primarily developed as a tranquilizer for large animals, such as elephants. It is approximately 10,000 times stronger than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. While it has no legitimate medical use for humans, it has become a dangerous substance of abuse in the ongoing opioid epidemic, often with devastating consequences.

Abuse of Carfentanil

Carfentanil is typically encountered as a contaminant in illicit drugs, such as heroin or counterfeit pills, rather than being intentionally sought out. Dealers often mix it with other substances to increase potency or profit, but its extreme strength makes even microscopic amounts potentially fatal. Users often unknowingly consume carfentanil, putting them at an exceptionally high risk of overdose.

When abused, carfentanil acts on the brain’s opioid receptors, producing effects like intense euphoria, pain relief, and sedation. However, its potency significantly heightens the dangers associated with opioids, including respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, and death. Emergency responders often require multiple doses of naloxone (Narcan) to reverse a carfentanil overdose due to the drug’s potency and rapid onset of life-threatening symptoms.

Carfentanil’s abuse underscores the broader challenges of the opioid crisis. Its presence in the illicit drug market is difficult to detect, as it is often invisible to the naked eye and indistinguishable from less potent substances without specialized testing. This has made public education and harm reduction strategies, such as widespread naloxone availability and drug testing programs, critical in addressing the dangers of carfentanil.

Efforts to combat the abuse of carfentanil focus on disrupting its illegal distribution, providing addiction treatment resources, and raising awareness about its presence in the drug supply. The extreme lethality of carfentanil highlights the urgent need for comprehensive approaches to reduce opioid misuse and its associated harms.

Cross Reactivity:

• When testing for the presence of carfentanil, watch out for contributing substances that may result in a false positive reading.
• Always be sure to investigate what other substances your test subject may be taking PRIOR to administering your test.

Call us at 888-822-7120 with any questions on cross-reactive substances interfering with carfentanil testing