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Fentanyl’s Role in Opioid-Related Deaths Is on the Rise

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Anesthesiology News

Almost half of 42,249 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016 involved fentanyl, according to a research letter published in JAMA (2018;319[17]:1819-1821).

Synthetic opioids, most notably illicit fentanyl, have surpassed prescription opioids to become the most common drug associated with overdose deaths in the United States.

The prevalence of synthetic opioid abuse was highlighted by the report’s data on its involvement in 2016 nonopioid overdose deaths. Synthetic opioids were involved in 40.3% of cocaine-involved deaths, 31.0% of benzodiazepine deaths, and 20.8% of antidepressant-related deaths that year.

In reaction to the increase in fentanyl deaths, the authors urged increased public awareness of the potency of fentanyl. According to the CDC, fentanyl is many times (i.e., 50-100) more potent than morphine and heroin. The CDC also warned of its presence of in the illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect and how it is often mixed with heroin and cocaine.

The report’s authors blame its variability and availability, as well as its use, in combination with illicit drugs for the increase of fentanyl-related deaths. In order to combat the rise of synthetic opioids, they suggested the use of public health education and training of health care providers in fentanyl-related emergencies.

The report’s mortality data were obtained from the National Vital Statistics System based on reports of medical examiners and coroners across the United States.

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