Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is primarily used for the management of severe pain. It is crucial to note that fentanyl is a controlled substance and should only be obtained through legal means on prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. The illegal purchase and use of fentanyl can have serious health consequences and legal implications.
Understanding Fentanyl
It takes only a few grains of fentanyl to cause an overdose.
Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid analgesic with a rapid onset and short duration of action. It is commonly prescribed for chronic pain management, breakthrough cancer pain, and anesthesia purposes. Due to its potency, it requires careful medical supervision and dosage adjustments to prevent overdose and other adverse effects.
- Treasury announced further sanctions on the Zhengs, designating both father and son as “foreign drug kingpins,” preventing American citizens from doing any business with them.
- Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
- Fentanyl test strips can be used to test for the presence of fentanyl in other drugs, such as methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and pressed pills bought on the street.
- ASAP Market is not the only dark web marketplace to – supposedly inadvertently – facilitate the fentanyl trade.
- Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally.
Legitimate Ways to Purchase Fentanyl
Fentanyl Kit
If you are in need of fentanyl for legitimate medical reasons, such as managing chronic pain or palliative care, follow these steps:
- Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider: Consultation with a licensed healthcare professional is imperative to determine if fentanyl is the appropriate medication for your condition.
- Get a valid prescription: If your healthcare provider determines that fentanyl is suitable for your treatment, they will write a prescription specifying the dosage and frequency of use.
- Visit a pharmacy: Take your prescription to a reputable pharmacy to have it filled. Ensure the pharmacy is authorized and licensed to dispense controlled substances.
- Follow usage instructions: Take fentanyl exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or frequency.
Working with the nonprofit Code in the Schools, the city in 2017 launched a “bad batch” text alert system, to warn people who use drugs when there is a spike in overdose deaths in a certain area. Although studies have not examined the effect of training on pharmacy FTS sales, parallels may be drawn with pharmacy-based naloxone distribution. Research on public health partnerships with community pharmacies has led to increased naloxone protocols and dispensing [21]. Pharmacist trainings should be created regarding FTS counseling similar to trainings regarding naloxone counseling in an effort to increase pharmacist comfort and confidence in FTS distribution.
Although pharmacists were unaware of where to obtain FTS, the majority perceived that FTS could reduce overdose deaths in their communities. This is the first study to report on the willingness of community pharmacists to engage in various FTS behaviors. Many NC community pharmacists in this sample were somewhat or very willing to sell FTS as well as counsel on FTS, which could greatly increase FTS access, especially in communities without harm reduction organizations. Despite this high degree of willingness, only two pharmacies were currently providing FTS.
City to study use of fentanyl-detecting test strips by distributing them in exchange vans
Important Considerations
They meet people where they are to provide an array of services in a safe, anonymous setting. The risk is especially high among persons who are not tolerant to the drugs effects (opioid-naïve) and may not be aware that the drugs they use contain fentanyl. Because fentanyl is so potent, its use in people who are naïve to fentanyl use can quickly lead to overdose and death. It can be used to save the life of someone experiencing a fentanyl-related overdose. The fentanyl test strips given away were packaged into kits including 10 strips, each with instructions on how to use them, a pocket-sized set of instructions with pictures, and information on fentanyl.
- Prescription-only: Fentanyl cannot be legally purchased without a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional.
- Illegal sources: Buying fentanyl from illegal sources is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious health risks, as the product’s purity and quality cannot be guaranteed.
- Online sales: Be cautious of online platforms claiming to sell fentanyl without a prescription. These are often illicit operations that may expose you to counterfeit or adulterated substances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
AMA Advocacy Insights webinar series: Strategies to address the drug overdose and death epidemic
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Please contact your local public health authority (link) to learn more about services nearest to you. According to the AMA’s latest Opioid Epidemic Report, opioid prescribing continues downward trend while overdose and death related to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine increase. The AMA continues to advance evidence-based recommendations to help end the nation’s drug-related overdose and death epidemic. This includes support for increased use of a broad array of harm-reduction efforts services such as fentanyl drug test strips. 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.
Can I buy fentanyl without a prescription?
No, it is illegal to purchase fentanyl without a valid prescription.
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Are there any legal alternatives to fentanyl for pain management?
There are various legal alternatives available for pain management. Your healthcare provider can discuss suitable options based on your individual needs.
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What are the dangers of buying fentanyl from illegal sources?
Buying fentanyl from illegal sources can pose significant risks, including exposure to impure or counterfeit substances, increased likelihood of overdose, and legal consequences.
It’s also important for the person experiencing an overdose not to take any more drugs or alcohol within (at least) a three hour period. If you are unable to seek medical assistance, and can not stay with the person yourself, ensure they are in the company of an individual who is aware of the situation and has more naloxone. The video below describes how to identify and respond to an opioid overdose using naloxone.
In conclusion, it is important to prioritize your health and safety when considering the purchase of fentanyl. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional and obtain a legitimate prescription before purchasing this potent opioid. Remember, the legal and responsible use of fentanyl is crucial to prevent harm and ensure optimal outcomes.
