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Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is commonly used to manage severe pain, especially in cases of chronic illness or following surgery. Due to its potency, fentanyl is classified as a controlled substance and is only legally available through a prescription from a healthcare provider. This raises the question, “Can you buy fentanyl over the counter?”
The Dangers of Fentanyl Misuse
Public Awareness
Data sources include Micromedex (updated 4 Feb 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Feb 2024), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2024) and others. This is not all the information you need to know about fentanyl test strips for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your healthcare provider’s advice. Review and follow the full test strip information before use, as directions may vary among tests. Discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. Look for information on your state or local health department’s website or ask your healthcare provider for treatment and referral services available in your area.
Attempting to obtain fentanyl without a prescription can have serious consequences. Fentanyl is approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and even a small amount can be lethal if misused. In recent years, there has been a surge in overdoses and deaths related to illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
NY Lawmakers Want Widespread Access To Xylazine, Fentanyl Test Strips
Naloxone is a temporary treatment, and its effects do not last long. A person who has overdosed and who receives naloxone will usually wake up within 1-3 minutes. Stay with the person, even if they are conscious, until emergency medical help arrives. The clerk claimed the pharmacy did not stock counterfeit pills.
It is crucial to understand that fentanyl should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional who can monitor its effects and ensure safe usage.
Instead, the fake pills commonly include a deadly amount of illicit fentanyl, and is sometimes also combined with other drugs like xylazine. These substances were selected based on advice from harm reduction groups. Further, we were able to determine a suggested sample dilution and time for reading and interpretation of the results that will detect dangerous levels of fentanyl with less risk of false positives.
Legal Status of Fentanyl
What Are Opioids? What Are They Used For In Medicine?
It can quickly save the life of someone suffering from an overdose. Xylazine is being incorporated into the illicit drug supply and is now geographically spread throughout the United States. Xylazine has frequently been found mixed with opioids (including fentanyl) and stimulants (including methamphetamine and cocaine). Distributors in the US sell counterfeit pills on social media, appealing to a younger, more opioid naïve audience that use social media apps. Opioid naïve individuals are at high risk of accidental overdose because they do not have a tolerance for opioids, may not have access to naloxone, and may not know how to decrease overdose risk. VDH is prioritizing high-priority individuals to receive no-cost naloxone.
In many countries, including the United States, fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. This means that it is illegal to possess or distribute fentanyl without a valid prescription. Attempting to buy fentanyl over the counter from a pharmacy or online without a prescription is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous.
Some of the counterfeits are now more sophisticated, and lab testing found a wider array of substances in them than previously documented. Many states once categorized fentanyl test strips as illegal drug paraphernalia. Now, more than half of U.S. states have passed laws allowing people to buy and use fentanyl test strips.
The campaign targeted areas that had seen an increase in overdoses as well as areas where people use drugs recreationally. Oregon is experiencing an influx of fentanyl in the form of counterfeit pills. Many of these pills are made to look identical to prescription opioids and are falsely marketed to people in the community as legitimate. Most counterfeit pills resemble oxycodone 30mg pills (M30s), but they can also look like hydrocodone, alprazolam (Xanax), Adderall, and other medications. These are photos of counterfeit pills collected from a drug seizure in Oregon. “In health care, we dose fentanyl in micrograms,” explains Amanda N. Donald, MD, an addiction medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine.
- To learn more about the mixture of fentanyl into other drugs, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Facts on fentanyl.
- OTC medications that contain DXM often also contain antihistamines and decongestants.
- More than 70,000 people died of drug overdoses last year—the equivalent of about three 747 plane crashes each week.
- Packages will be handed out for free and there is no limit on how many strips Wisconsinites can get.
- If you decide to use the drugs after testing them, you can drink them or inject them.
Seeking Help for Pain Management
If you are experiencing severe pain and believe that fentanyl may be a necessary part of your treatment plan, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider. They can assess your condition, determine the appropriate course of treatment, and prescribe medications like fentanyl if deemed necessary.
Do not attempt to purchase fentanyl over the counter or from unlicensed sources. The risks associated with misuse far outweigh any potential benefits.
Remember, your health and safety should always come first when seeking pain management solutions.
