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- It is possible for fentanyl to exist in an untested area of a pill or for the pill to contain a different synthetic opioid product.
- Making naloxone available without a prescription expands its availability to people who use opioids and are at risk for overdose.
- When confronted about the counterfeits, pharmacy workers often blamed suppliers, whose names they said they didn’t know or couldn’t remember.
- This medication should not be used to treat pain other than chronic cancer pain, especially short-term pain such as migraines or other headaches, pain from an injury, or pain after a medical or dental procedure.
- § Pharmacies in California may now provide naloxone without a prescription, although availability is pharmacy and pharmacist dependent.
California Health Facilities Information Database
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often used to treat severe pain, such as that experienced by cancer patients. It is approximately 100 times stronger than morphine and is highly addictive. Due to its potency, fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States, which means that it can only be obtained with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Why Can’t You Buy Fentanyl Over the Counter?
Fentanyl is a highly potent and dangerous drug that can cause serious harm or even death if used improperly. It is estimated that just two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, which is why it is strictly regulated and cannot be purchased over the counter. Additionally, fentanyl has a high potential for abuse and addiction, making it a dangerous drug to have readily available without a prescription.
Public Awareness
The Dangers of Fentanyl Abuse
Fentanyl abuse can lead to serious health consequences, including respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and death. It can also lead to addiction, which can have a devastating impact on an individual’s personal and professional life. Fentanyl abuse can also contribute to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States, which has resulted in thousands of deaths each year.
How to Obtain Fentanyl Safely
Fast Facts: Over-The-Counter Medication
Remind your student to call 911 in any potential overdose situation. Vending machines carrying opioid-overdose reversal drugs are the center of a bill moving through the Georgia House that aims to make more drugs available to combat deaths from overdose. “Our test strips are such a great tool for engaging people who use substances into our programing so that then we can support them with other aspects of their health, especially around HIV and Hep C,” he said.
Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WIFR) – Leaders in Springfield discussed proposed legislation they say would help save lives in the fight against the fentanyl epidemic. The Alltest Fentanyl Urine Test Cassette includes a preaddressed mailing box for shipping samples to the manufacturer’s laboratory for confirmation testing. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site.
If you are experiencing severe pain and believe that fentanyl may be an appropriate treatment option, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider. They can assess your condition and determine if fentanyl is appropriate for you. If a prescription is written, it is important to follow the dosing instructions carefully and to only use the medication as directed.
Avoid Using Substances Alone
If symptoms of an overdose occur, a friend or family member should give the first dose of naloxone, call 911 immediately, and stay with you and watch you closely until emergency medical help arrives. Your symptoms may return within a few minutes after you receive naloxone. If your symptoms return, the person should give you another dose of naloxone.
The Importance of Proper Disposal
If you’ve been prescribed an opioid, many health care providers also co-prescribe naloxone in case of an overdose. If your provider doesn’t prescribe it, you can ask them for a prescription. Individuals should call 911 immediately after administering naloxone. Be aware that it may take more than one dose of naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. A prescription is no longer required to obtain nasal naloxone spray.
It is also important to properly dispose of any unused or expired fentanyl medication. This can help to prevent accidental exposure or intentional misuse of the drug. Many communities have medication take-back programs or drug disposal kiosks where you can safely dispose of unused medication. Alternatively, you can follow the instructions provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safe disposal at home.
Conclusion
Fentanyl is a highly potent and dangerous drug that cannot be purchased over the counter. It is strictly regulated due to its high potential for abuse and addiction, as well as its potential to cause serious harm or even death if used improperly. If you are experiencing severe pain and believe that fentanyl may be an appropriate treatment option, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider. They can assess your condition and determine if fentanyl is appropriate for you, and provide guidance on proper use and disposal of the medication.
