What is fentanyl overdose?

Fentanyl is a powerful pain medicine made in a lab (synthetic opioid). Doctors may prescribe it to treat severe pain. Illegal fentanyl is often mixed into street drugs like heroin, cocaine, and meth. Or it may be added to fake pills made to look like prescription medicines.

Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. This means that even a small amount can lead to an overdose, which could be deadly. Illegal fentanyl has added to the rise in overdose deaths in the U.S.

Illegal fentanyl often comes as a powder or pressed into a pill. It can also be a liquid. An overdose can occur if you swallow, snort, or inject fentanyl. You can't overdose just by touching fentanyl.

A person who has overdosed on fentanyl may be very sleepy or pass out (lose consciousness). You may notice other signs such as:

• Very small (pinpoint) pupils in their eyes.
• Slow or shallow breathing, or not breathing.
• Gurgling or choking noises.
• Cold, clammy skin.
• Blue or purple lips and nails.
• A limp body.
• A slow or weak pulse.

An overdose is an emergency. Call for help right away.

A fentanyl overdose is a medical emergency. A paramedic will check for signs of overdose, such as pinpoint pupils and shallow breathing. At the hospital after treatment, a doctor will do an exam. Other tests may be done to confirm an overdose and look for problems.

A doctor may give you a medicine called naloxone to help reverse the effects of fentanyl. You may need fluids and oxygen to help you breathe. In severe cases, CPR may be done. You may need more treatment if the overdose caused other problems.

• If you have naloxone, give it as quickly as possible. This medicine can reverse the effects of an overdose if it's given soon enough after an overdose. Follow the instructions that come with the medicine. You may need to give a second dose. (You can give naloxone even if you're not sure the person has overdosed. It won't hurt them.)
• Call 911 or other emergency services right away. Stay with the person until help arrives.
• Try to keep the person awake and breathing. Perform rescue breathing if needed.
• Place the person on their side. This can help prevent choking and help them breathe.