Content
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Availability
Our staff can deliver care on the spot to those who use the Tacoma Needle Exchange van in our parking lot. King County worked with Rescue Agency to create Laced & Lethal, a campaign to educate youth about fentanyl, and how to respond to overdose. Fentanyl deaths are rising quickly for young people in WA State. We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WIFR) – Leaders in Springfield discussed proposed legislation they say would help save lives in the fight against the fentanyl epidemic. The Alltest Fentanyl Urine Test Cassette includes a preaddressed mailing box for shipping samples to the manufacturer’s laboratory for confirmation testing. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Fentanyl comes as four different transmucosal products and several other types of products. The medication in each product is absorbed differently by the body, so one product cannot be substituted for any other fentanyl product. If you are switching from one product to another, your doctor will prescribe a dose that is best for you.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, primarily used in medical settings for pain management. It is significantly more potent than morphine and is typically administered in a hospital setting or prescribed for patients dealing with chronic pain or undergoing surgery.
Learn more about drug test kits and how the AMA supports efforts to increase access to fentanyl test strips and other substance test kits for the purpose of harm reduction. The increase of illicit fentanyl in Mississippi’s drug supply and the rise in stimulant deaths present the latest challenges. Fentanyl and its analogs are many times more powerful than non-synthetic opioids, and carry a much higher overdose risk than heroin and other prescription opioids. These pills are difficult to distinguish from authentic prescription pills, creating a false sense of security among people using them, especially adolescents. If used correctly, fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of the most common types of fentanyl in street drugs and pills. These strips can be a useful harm reduction tool for people who drugs.
Can You Buy Fentanyl Over the Counter?
The short answer is no, you cannot buy fentanyl over the counter. Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in many countries, including the United States. This classification means that it is strictly regulated due to its high potential for abuse and addiction.
Why is Fentanyl Restricted?
(The Senate investigators did not actually make any purchases.) Or, these so-called “clearnet” sites lead to arrests. Recently, a group of investigators with the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations Googled “buy fentanyl online” on the open internet, then homed in on the six sites that were most responsive to their requests. An investigator on the committee, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the findings, said these represent a tiny fraction of the hundreds of fentanyl-selling sites on the web. Learn how to respond in the event of an overdose and support a loved one in crisis.
Dr. David Goodman-Meza, a UCLA assistant professor who studies drug use, said the results of The Times’ investigation show a much larger problem than was initially apparent. Hold the solid blue end of the test strip and dip the other end in the water. “The opportunity to have Narcan available in the form of what retailers can provide, online and expanding that is critically important,” he said. Tricia Moriarty, a spokesperson, said Walmart will have over-the-counter Narcan in some of its stores and online as soon as this weekend. Emergent is shipping “several hundred thousand” boxes of Narcan to major retail chains in the first week, followed by more boxes to smaller chains over September, said Paul Williams, a senior vice president.
There are several reasons for the restrictions on fentanyl:
- High Potency: Fentanyl is incredibly potent, making even small amounts potentially lethal.
- Risk of Addiction: Prolonged use can lead to physical dependence and addiction.
- Potential for Misuse: Fentanyl is often involved in illicit drug use, contributing to the opioid crisis.
“All must go till 1 of July,” the “special offer” read, according to the report. It was more effective using words like “Percs” or “Percocet “or “Oxy’s” rather than opioids or opiates. In certain neighborhoods, there are people who do not think of Percocet or Oxycodone pills as an opiate.
How is Fentanyl Typically Prescribed?
Fentanyl can be prescribed in various forms:
- Transdermal Patches: For continuous pain relief over a period.
- Lollipops: Used in certain pediatric cases for rapid pain relief.
- Injectable Forms: Administered in hospitals for surgical procedures.
How Safe Injection Facilities Could Reduce Fentanyl Overdoses
What to Do if You Need Pain Management
If you are experiencing severe pain and believe you may need medication like fentanyl, consider the following steps:
- When buying online, use extreme caution to be sure the tests are valid.
- He said he was embarrassed and wouldn’t disclose where the drugs came from.
- NARCAN® also can be purchased at more than 500 pharmacies without a prescription under a standing order.
- With the Alltest Fentanyl Urine Test Cassette (Hangzhou AllTest Biotech Co, Ltd), three drops of fresh urine are placed onto a cassette containing a fentanyl test strip.
- Studies have shown that fentanyl test strips can increase awareness and lead to safety precautions to help prevent an overdose.
- The saying “one pill can kill” is true because people don’t know how much is in it.
- Consult a Healthcare Provider: Discuss your symptoms and pain history with a doctor.
- Explore Treatment Options: Ask about other medications or therapies that may be appropriate.
- Follow Legal Channels: Only obtain medications through a legitimate prescription from a licensed provider.
FAQs About Fentanyl
1. What happens if you misuse fentanyl?
Misusing fentanyl can lead to overdose, respiratory failure, and death.
2. Are there any legal ramifications for possessing fentanyl without a prescription?
Yes, possessing fentanyl without a valid prescription can lead to criminal charges.
3. Can fentanyl be found in illegitimate products?
Unfortunately, yes; fentanyl is sometimes mixed with other illicit drugs, increasing the risk of overdose.
4. How can I recognize a fentanyl overdose?
Signs include slow or shallow breathing, blue lips or nails, and extreme drowsiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, fentanyl is a highly regulated medication that cannot be purchased over the counter. Understanding its risks and the legal ramifications of its misuse is crucial for anyone seeking pain management solutions. Always consult a healthcare provider for appropriate treatment options.
