A powerful synthetic opioid, much stronger than heroin or morphine. It is used medically for severe pain but is also made and sold illegally.
In the context of addiction treatment:
Illegal fentanyl is involved in many overdose deaths because it is potent and often mixed into other drugs.
What to know:
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Very small amounts can be lethal.
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Naloxone (Narcan®) can reverse fentanyl overdoses, but multiple doses may be needed in some cases.