Background Overview of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is known to be a powerful opiate analgesic or pain reliever. In the 1960s, Paul Janssen developed this molecule to trigger opioid activities through intravenous anesthetics which was called Sublimaze. It has been used as a strong agonist of u-opioid receptors. These agonist receptors are very helpful in sending signals to your brain and spinal cord to control your emotional response towards pain. Fentanyl is more potent than Morphine.
Fentanyl more Potent than Morphine?
In medical practice, Fentanyl works as an intravenous analgesic and is used in chronic pain management. Some brand names affiliated with Fentanyl are Duragesic, Fentora, Matrifen, Haldid, Onsolis, Instanyl, Abstral, and Lazanda. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “fentanyl is estimated to be 80 times as powerful as morphine and hundreds of times more powerful than heroin”. Therefore, fentanyl is extremely dangerous if its usage is not monitored properly. This is one of the reasons health professionals and health services implement tight restrictions for the use of the drug.
Fentanyl Dangerous as a Recreation Drug
Fentanyl cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. This substance is highly addictive. It is a sedative that has known side effects such as euphoria, unconsciousness, coma, constipation, and confusion. Several users unfortunately buy fentanyl as a recreational drug. Many of them don’t know that it has a damaging adverse effect on people – putting their lives at risk!
Last year in Canada, reports showed that the drug had been widely used among Canadian teens and parents. Regardless of age and gender, they took it as recreational drugs which led to multiple deaths. The news is quite alarming and needs immediate action. To read the full article please click here.
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