Fentanyl, a drug 50 times more potent than heroin

A banned substance that is spreading and that caused the death of the singer Prince.

Prince was an American singer who will be remembered for being one of the great musical icons of the 1980s. Despite the fact that he was always in the shadow of Michael Jacksons shadow, he was the great renovator of black music with his unique stamp that gave shape to a rather psychedelic funk-pop. Some of his best known songs are: Purple Rain (1984) and Sign O'The Times (1987). Prince continued to be a groundbreaking artist until last April, when a potent opiate called a potent opiate called Fentanyl forever extinguished his voice..

Until rather recently, most people did not know what fentanyl was, which in recent months has become a favorite drug of Mexican cartels. This is because it is a very potent substance and very popular in the United States. In fact, it is a very profitable drug, according to U.S. authorities.

There are many types of drugs. Learn more about the different psychoactive substances in our article: "Types of drugs: know their characteristics and effects".

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids on the market.. 

It is used as an anesthetic in the operating room, for breakthrough Cancer pain and for recovery from surgery. It is a potent synthetic opioid agonist, belonging to the narcotic group, derived from phenylpiperidine, and is highly lipid soluble.

It is structurally similar to meperidine, alfentanil, and sufentanil. Fentanyl was first synthesized in 1960 by a Belgian pharmacist.In recent months, however, it has burst onto the streets of American and Canadian towns and cities, becoming an epidemic that is leaving a trail of deaths in its wake.

Forms of administration, effects and dangers

Fentanyl comes in several forms: injection, skin patch, buccal film, or lollipop device, immediately dissolving tablets with intraoral absorption, and fentanyl inhalers. Injection is usually common in hospitals. And for the individual using it outside of the hospital setting it is extremely dangerousThe difference between the therapeutic dose and the lethal dose is very small.

As with other opiates, the most common symptoms of abuse are euphoria, analgesia, drowsiness or lethargy. Fentanyl causes tolerance to high doses, so an adequate dose may vary from week to week.

There are many unwanted symptoms that can appear with the consumption of this opiate:

• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Dry mouth
• Urine retention
• Breathing suppression
• Severe constipation
• Itching or hives
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Headache
• Difficulty seeing
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Nightmares
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Swelling in the extremities

Fentanyl Addiction: The New Epidemic in the U.S.

Fentanyl may have become popular around the globe because of Prince's death, but the truth is that for some time now drug traffickers have been aware of the drug's potential business in the illegal market. An exhaustive medical examination of the pop star confirmed his death by overdose due to the consumption of this substance, putting an end to weeks of speculation.

Since then, In the United States, several organizations have sent out a warning signal about the increase in fentanyl consumption in this country (also in neighboring Canada). in this country (also in its neighboring country, Canada). Because the most powerful painkiller used by doctors is being sold on the streets, causing several deaths. As the Centers for Disease Control explains to CNNwe are facing a new public health crisis.

In addition, as confirmed by U.S. authorities located on the Mexican border: "Mexican cartels are not only receiving shipments of fentanyl from China. It has been detected that themselves are producing this drug in their clandestine laboratories, as the demand for fentanyl opiates is growing.The Mexican cartels are not only receiving shipments of fentanyl from China, as the demand for opiates by U.S. citizens is growing.

A highly dangerous and deadly drug

Drug experts are concerned, as deaths continue to occur deaths in the United States continue to occur on an almost daily basis. A few weeks ago, the British newspaper Metro reported the dangers of this drug and confirmed the death of 10 people in just twelve days in the state of Sacramento.

One of the victims was Jerome Bruner, who died after consuming fentanyl thinking it was a harmless painkiller. His mother, Natasha, in statements to the newspaper itself, said, "His organs were affected, his liver was affected, his kidneys were affected. His brain was swollen. The doctor said there was nothing he could do to save her life."

The Drug Enforcement Administration states: "Illegally manufactured fentanyl is 20 to 100 times more potent than heroin. The drug used to treat cancer pain is very strong and can easily overdose even regular users of hard drugs."

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