Why Trust Recovery Guide Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used in prescribing treatment for severe pain, such as the type of pain associated with chronic pain or cancer.
As a pain relief medication, pharmaceutical fentanyl is also known to produce a pleasant euphoria. This makes it a highly addictive drug and one that is commonly abused.
The addictiveness of fentanyl, combined with the fact that it is often found mixed unknowingly with certain street drugs, makes fentanyl one of the most dangerous drugs found today.
With opioid-related overdoses on a steady rise in recent years, the prevention of fentanyl addiction has become an extremely important matter of public health.
Why Is Overdose So Common With Fentanyl?
Overdose is common with fentanyl use for a couple of reasons. One reason is that a lethal dose of fentanyl is very small when compared to that of other drugs.
Fentanyl overdose is also common when fentanyl is used as a cutting agent with illicit drugs such as cocaine or heroin and people are not even aware that they are taking it.
It is also not uncommon to encounter counterfeit fentanyl pills. These are pills that are marketed as something else but are actually fentanyl.
What Makes A Fentanyl Overdose Life-Threatening?
Fentanyl is extremely potent and is considered to be up to 50 times stronger than heroin.
When a person is overdosing on fentanyl, their breathing will become shallow and very slow. If treatment is not sought immediately, their breathing can stop completely.
If breathing is cut off completely, so is the supply of oxygen to the brain. Without oxygen, a person can fall into a coma, resulting in permanent brain damage or death.
The Annual Rate Of Fentanyl-Related Overdose Deaths
Fentanyl plays a very large role in the current opioid epidemic across the United States. Currently, more than half of all overdose deaths involve fentanyl.
At their peak in 2023, synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl) were involved in approximately 73,000 overdose deaths, which is roughly 200 per day.
More recent CDC provisional data shows a meaningful decline, with fentanyl-involved deaths dropping to approximately 48,000 in 2024. Overdose remains the leading cause of accidental death in the United States.
Symptoms Of A Fentanyl Overdose
Being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a fentanyl overdose could potentially save someone’s life.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms are likely the clearest symptoms of a fentanyl overdose.
These may include:
- extreme drowsiness
- slow heart rate
- slow breathing
- seizures
- cold and pale skin
- tiny (pinpoint) pupils
- limp body
- choking or gurgling sounds
Psychological Symptoms
A person may also experience psychological symptoms during a fentanyl overdose, though these might not be as obvious. Symptoms include confusion, agitation, and vivid hallucinations.
Learn more about the signs of a fentanyl overdose.
Is There A Fentanyl Overdose Antidote?
The medication naloxone (Narcan) is the most commonly used antidote. This antidote works well on fentanyl overdoses when given in a timely manner.
It is important to remember that a fentanyl overdose happens extremely fast. In order to be effective, naloxone needs to be administered quickly after an overdose has begun.
It is now considered common practice in some states for law enforcement officers to carry a naloxone kit.
Find out more about the fentanyl overdose antidote.
Preventing Fentanyl Overdose Deaths
When it comes to making changes in the number of fatal overdoses from fentanyl each year, prevention is crucial.
Education
Fentanyl overdose prevention education involves learning how to identify counterfeit pills, as these pills play a large role in drug overdose deaths.
It is not always easy to tell the difference between real and counterfeit pills, but knowing this information can save your life or that of someone you love.
Fentanyl Test Strips
An important harm reduction practice for fentanyl is the use of fentanyl test strips. These test strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in substances such as heroin or methamphetamine.
Fentanyl test strips are not legal or available in all states, but the places where they are available have resulted in a decrease in the number of overdose deaths.
Naloxone Training
Anyone concerned about facing a possible opioid overdose should keep a naloxone toolkit on hand at all times.
Naloxone nasal spray (Narcan) is designed for bystander use and does not require medical training. It is available over the counter at most pharmacies without a prescription.
Familiarity with how to use it before an emergency is helpful but not required because the packaging includes clear instructions. Injectable naloxone requires more preparation and is typically used in clinical settings.
Because fentanyl is extremely potent, a single dose of naloxone may not be sufficient to reverse the overdose.
Administer a second dose after two to three minutes if the person does not respond, and continue every two to three minutes as needed while waiting for emergency services.
Always call 911 even after administering naloxone. Its effects are temporary, and the person may require additional medical care.
Learn CPR
Knowing CPR can save lives in many situations, not just in terms of opioid-involved overdose deaths.
Most U.S. states have Good Samaritan laws that provide limited legal immunity to people who call 911 during an overdose.
Fear of arrest should never prevent someone from calling for help. The person’s life takes priority over any legal concern. And in most states, the law is on your side when you call.
Responding To An Ongoing Overdose
If you are a witness to someone experiencing a fentanyl overdose, emergency medical attention should be sought immediately.
Even if a person has received naloxone and appears to be improving, they should still be examined by emergency medical services (EMS).
While waiting for emergency services, place the person in the recovery position: on their side with their top knee bent forward to prevent rolling. This reduces the risk of choking if they vomit. Tilt their head back slightly to keep the airway open and monitor their breathing continuously.
Getting Help For Fentanyl Addiction
Opioid withdrawal is generally not considered life-threatening, the way withdrawal can be for alcohol or Xanax. However, it can be very uncomfortable.
For this reason, professional addiction treatment with healthcare providers trained in substance abuse disorders can be very beneficial.
Treatment for fentanyl addiction usually includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This involves drugs such as methadone or buprenorphine to help people quit using opioids.
It is common to find specialized clinics that offer outpatient MAT for opioid use disorders, allowing people to find addiction treatment without interrupting their everyday lives.
Fentanyl Overdose FAQs
The following are some of the most commonly asked questions about over
How Much Fentanyl Does It Take To Fatally Overdose?
A lethal dose of fentanyl is three mg for an average-sized adult male. This amount will vary slightly depending on various factors such as a person’s size, gender, and history of drug abuse.
What Is The Fentanyl Death Pose?
The fentanyl death pose occurs when someone is overdosing and their body has stiffened to the point where they can’t move. People may appear as if they’re paralyzed.
Does Narcan Work On Fentanyl?
Narcan, which is the name brand for naloxone, is an antidote for opioid overdoses that also works on fentanyl.
If You Survive A Fentanyl Overdose Are There Permanent Effects?
A person should consider themselves very fortunate for surviving a fentanyl overdose, but there are possible permanent effects from a fentanyl overdose including brain damage.
Find Treatment For Substance Use Disorders Today
Fentanyl addiction can be life-threatening, and it is imperative to seek help if you or a loved one is living with a substance abuse disorder involving opioids.
Call our helpline today for more information. Our team can assist you in finding a recovery center that fits your needs.
Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.
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.
- National Library of Medicine: PubMed.gov
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15907648/ - United States Department of Justice
https://www.justice.gov/opioidawareness - United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl