Cocaine And Fentanyl: Dangers Of Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine

Medically Reviewed by Johnelle Smith, M.D. on

Fentanyl and cocaine are both drugs that come with a lot of potential dangers and risks when taken on their own. Cocaine that is laced with fentanyl is even more dangerous and is becoming increasingly more common on the streets.

Medically Reviewed by
Johnelle Smith, M.D. on
Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine

As a synthetic opioid, fentanyl is known for its high potency. In fact, it is said to be 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.

Fentanyl is used medically for severe pain and chronic pain but is also known for producing euphoria, relaxation, and sedation.

It is becoming increasingly common to find illicit drugs on the street that have been laced with fentanyl. One drug that is the most commonly laced with fentanyl is cocaine, a stimulant.

There are a number of drug interactions with fentanyl and cocaine that may occur when the two substances are taken together.

The fact that fentanyl is becoming more commonplace in drugs bought on the street has led to a serious opioid crisis and opioid epidemic in the United States.

Unfortunately, the risk of overdose is climbing, and fatal overdoses from fentanyl have become one of the leading causes of death in America.

The Financial Appeal Of Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine

A drug dealer who is able to sell a cheap, strong, and addictive product will keep their customers coming back regularly to buy more and spend more.

Cheaper Product

Cocaine is more expensive than fentanyl, so cutting cocaine with fentanyl allows the drug dealer to bulk up their product and make more money off of it.

Fentanyl is also widely available, making it easily accessible as a cutting agent. It also looks very similar to cocaine in physical appearance.

Stronger Product

Unlike some cutting agents, which will dilute cocaine, fentanyl instead makes the cocaine even stronger and more potent and creates a more intense high.

Some people may even seek out cocaine that has been laced with fentanyl because they enjoy the intensity of the high it creates.

More Addictive Product

Cocaine and fentanyl are both quite addictive on their own, and when used together they will amplify each other’s addictive effects.

It is possible that a drug dealer would lace their product with fentanyl as a means of getting their customers addicted and spending more money.

The Risks Of Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine

Cocaine use comes with its own risks, and these risks and dangers increase exponentially when the cocaine in use is laced with fentanyl.

Negative Drug Interactions

Fentanyl is a central nervous system depressant while cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant. In general, the two drugs have very opposing effects.

While some might think that the opposing effects of cocaine and fentanyl drug use might balance or cancel each other out, this is not the case.

Unexpected Side Effects

Cocaine and fentanyl have very different effects, as well as very different side effects.

Someone expecting to feel a rush of energy and hyperactivity from cocaine may be surprised to instead find themselves relaxed and drowsy from fentanyl.

Increased Overdose Risk

It takes a very small amount of fentanyl to trigger a drug overdose, as little as two or three milligrams for an average-sized adult.

While cocaine overdoses are not very common, cocaine that has fentanyl in it is much more likely to cause an overdose.

Recognizing A Fentanyl Overdose

Being able to recognize the symptoms of a fentanyl overdose could potentially save someone’s life.

Overdose Symptoms

Someone who is overdosing on fentanyl may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms.

Signs of overdose:

  • trouble breathing
  • clammy skin
  • loss of consciousness
  • unresponsiveness
  • gurgling or choking sounds
  • pinpoint pupils

Getting Help

If you witness someone experiencing a fentanyl overdose, it is very important to call for emergency medical services immediately and wait with the person until they arrive.

If you have Narcan (naloxone) on hand and know how to use it, you can administer a dose while you wait for emergency services to arrive.

Narcan is a fentanyl overdose antidote that can save someone’s life if given quickly.

Other Illicit Drugs Commonly Laced With Fentanyl

While cocaine is one of the street drugs that is most commonly laced with fentanyl, it is far from the only one that possesses potential danger.

Heroin

Heroin and fentanyl are extremely difficult to tell apart in powder form. As a natural opiate, heroin also has similar effects to fentanyl, though much less potent.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant that can be crushed up and snorted, as well as smoked or injected. It is also another drug that is sometimes known to be laced with fentanyl.

Fentanyl-laced meth can lead to a range of dangerous side effects and overdose death.

Oxycodone

Oxycodone is another type of prescription opioid, though it is much less potent than fentanyl. Oxycodone laced with fentanyl is found in pill form.

Xanax

When counterfeit pills of Xanax are sold on the street, they are often found to contain adulterants and cutting agents such as fentanyl.

Xanax and fentanyl mixed together can result in physically and psychologically harmful side effects.

Additional Cocaine Adulterants

Fentanyl is not the only dangerous adulterant that is found as a cutting agent in different illicit drugs.

Carfentanil

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Its intended use is as a tranquilizer for large animals such as elephants.

Levamisole

Levamisole is a medication that is typically used to treat parasitic worm infections but is also found as an adulterant in cocaine.

FAQs For Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine

The following are questions that are frequently asked about fentanyl abuse and mixing cocaine with fentanyl.

A recent analysis by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) found that 42% of counterfeit pills tested for fentanyl contained the drug.

There are many ways to identify fentanyl in counterfeit pills or in other forms.

Cocaine and fentanyl are dangerous because they look almost identical in powder form, while fentanyl is extremely potent compared to cocaine.

Due to their counteracting effects on the body, it becomes increasingly easy for people to overdose when using both of these substances together.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last year about 56,000 people died from synthetic opioid overdoses in 2020 and this number is on the rise.

In-person naloxone training can be found through local private and public health care agencies. Training is also available online through the CDC.

Additionally, law enforcement and public health professionals have increasingly begun distributing fentanyl test strips as a harm reduction measure.

Find Substance Use Treatment Today

If you, one of your family members, or loved ones are currently living with an opioid addiction or substance abuse disorder, know that you are not alone.

Please do not hesitate to call our helpline. We can answer any questions that you have or help you get started at an addiction treatment center nearby.

This page does not provide medical advice. See more

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These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.

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