Carfentanil (Item)

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Carfentanil

Found in:  

Fentanyl, Heroin

Type/Reason added:  

Fentanyl Analog

Relative Potency:  

100 times stronger than fentanyl, 1000 times stronger than morphine (10,12)

Overview

The Effects

Treatment Options

Description and Classification

Carfentanil:

A synthetic opioid, primarily developed for veterinary use as a tranquilizer for large animals, such as elephants. It is a derivative of fentanyl and is significantly more potent, rendering it extremely dangerous for human use.

Relative Potency

Potency:

Carfentanil is approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and about 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Due to this extreme potency, even a minuscule dose can be lethal for humans.

Why It Is Added

Purpose

Carfentanil is intended for use in veterinary medicine, specifically to immobilize large animals. It is not approved for human use due to its high potency and risk profile. Despite its dangers, carfentanil has appeared in illicit drug markets, often mixed with other opioids or drugs, where it poses a high overdose risk.