The opioid crisis continues to evolve with new substances that create even greater risks for individuals, families, and communities. One of the latest concerns is cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid that is be ten times more potent than fentanyl.

What is Cychlorphine and Why is it So Dangerous?

While cychlorphine is not new, it has recently been linked to overdose deaths in several states and gained national attention after being connected to the overdose death of a teenager in San Francisco. What makes this drug especially dangerous is that many people are unaware of it and it is currently undetectable with testing strips.

Cychlorphine was originally developed in the 1960s but is now being mixed with fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, and other substances. This is a serious risk for overdose because someone can inadvertently ingest cychlorphine thinking it’s a different drug.

Why Cychlorphine Increases Overdose Risk

Cychlorphine is a new challenge for overdose prevention because standard fentanyl test strips do not reliably detect the substance. Currently, there are no drug tests that can detect cychlorphine in other substances.

In addition to the overdose risk, health officials have also reported that cychlorphine overdoses may require multiple doses of naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, to revive someone.

Signs of a Cychlorphine Overdose

Naloxone is an important and effective overdose-response tool, but experts emphasize that emergency medical care is still critical for opioid overdoses.

Signs of a cychlorphine overdose can include:

• Slowed or stopped breathing
• Pinpoint pupils
• Loss of consciousness
• Blue or gray lips, skin, or nails

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek out immediate medical attention.

The emergence of cychlorphine is a reminder that the opioid crisis is not over. New synthetic opioids are appearing faster than many people can recognize them, making today’s illicit drug supply increasingly unpredictable. While the names may change, the risks of substance use disorder, overdose, and loss of life remain the same.

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment at Alpharus Health

As the opioid crisis continues to evolve, it’s important to remember that there is hope for people experiencing substance use disorder and recovery is possible. People can build healthier lives through evidence-based treatment, medication-assisted recovery, counseling, mental health services, and peer support.

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid use, we are to help. Our treatment programs provide compassionate, evidence-based care designed to help people achieve lasting recovery. Give us a call at 877-5054673 or contact us on our website to learn more.