What Is Purple Fentanyl?

Purple fentanyl is a designer drug that is usually a combination of fentanyl, brorphine, acetaminophen, and methamphetamine. It is the brorphine that gives it the purple color. Unlike regular fentanyl, which comes in many forms, purple fentanyl is typically only found in powder form.

This type of fentanyl may attract young people because of its colorful appearance, but it can contain dangerous and potent opioids such as brorphine and carfentanil.

Trends In Distributing Colorful Fentanyl

A recent trend in drug trafficking is the sale of rainbow fentanyl pills, which are pills containing fentanyl that come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Rainbow fentanyl is a deliberate effort to make dangerous pills containing fentanyl more appealing to young adults and teens.

Purple fentanyl, although it is only found in powder form, could potentially appeal to younger people in a very similar way.

Synthetic Opioids And “Designer” Drugs

Purple fentanyl is also sometimes called purple heroin or purple meth, although it may or may not actually contain either of those drugs. It may, however, contain the following synthetic opioids.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a very potent prescription opioid and severe pain medication. It is also known for causing pleasant euphoria and sedation, which makes it very addictive.

Carfentanil

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that’s 100 times more potent than fentanyl. This type of opioid is typically only used in veterinary medicine but has seen a rise in human use as well, and is a big contributor to the current opioid crisis.

Brorphine

Brorphine is a new synthetic opioid that was originally created in the hopes that it would decrease the risk of overdose deaths associated with opioids. However, brorphine turned out to be just as dangerous as fentanyl and even more potent. Even with no medical uses, brorphine has still found its way into the illicit street drug market.

How Purple Fentanyl Is Sold And Distributed

Purple fentanyl is typically sold on the street under various names and is often misrepresented as other drugs like heroin, oxycodone, Percocet, or even cocaine. The purple color is used as a branding technique to distinguish one dealer’s product from another, similar to how drug traffickers use different colored pills or stamps. This deceptive marketing makes purple fentanyl especially dangerous because people may not realize they’re taking an extremely potent synthetic opioid.

The drug is commonly distributed through street dealers, online marketplaces on the dark web, and social media platforms. Because fentanyl is extremely cheap to produce and incredibly potent, dealers can maximize profits by mixing it with other substances and selling small amounts for high prices. The lack of quality control makes it nearly impossible for users to verify what they’re actually buying, putting them at severe risk every time they use.

The Risk Of Overdose With Purple Fentanyl

Using fentanyl without a prescription is always risky, but using purple fentanyl comes with its own unique risks as well.

Lack Of Transparency

With purple fentanyl, there is truly no way for a person to know exactly what they are using and in what amounts. There is no form of purple fentanyl that is legal or regulated, and a single dose could potentially contain a lethal amount of the drug.

Negative Drug Interactions

It is also possible to experience negative drug interactions when fentanyl is mixed with drugs that have opposing effects. Additionally, when fentanyl is mixed with drugs that have similar effects they will only heighten each other’s effects and make an overdose more likely.

Unexpected Side Effects

Purple fentanyl can be an unexpected combination of drugs at times, so the side effects experienced from using it can be unexpected at times as well.

Signs Of Purple Fentanyl Overdose

An overdose from purple fentanyl is a life-threatening situation and requires immediate medical attention. Even if an overdose is just suspected or presumed, it is a good idea to seek treatment right away, as a fentanyl overdose can quickly turn fatal. Signs of a fentanyl overdose may include trouble breathing, pale or bluish skin and lips, loss of consciousness, unresponsiveness, and choking or gurgling sounds.

What To Do If You Have A Drug Overdose

If you are around someone who is overdosing, it is important to take action fast. Below are some of the immediate actions you should take if a fentanyl overdose is occurring.

Administer Naloxone (Narcan)

Naloxone is an emergency medication that is an antidote for fentanyl overdoses and all other opioid overdoses. Narcan is a brand-name nasal spray version of naloxone. Naloxone kits work by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, however, it only works temporarily and multiple doses are often required.

Call Emergency Services

Emergency medical services should always be called when someone is overdosing on fentanyl, even if they have been given naloxone and appear to be getting better. A dose of naloxone only works for between 30 and 90 minutes, and a person will need continued medical care after it wears off.

Treating Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl can be a very addictive substance and people who try to stop using it abruptly may find it very difficult and are likely to relapse. Luckily, drug rehab centers throughout the United States can help individuals overcome

Medical Detox

Medically monitored detox can allow a person to go through drug use withdrawal safely and comfortably under the supervision of medical professionals. This type of treatment usually makes use of certain medications, such as methadone or buprenorphine, to make the withdrawal process more comfortable.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Evidence-based treatments for opioid addiction may include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapies, group therapy, and more. A person overcoming an addiction to opioids will generally have a choice between inpatient or outpatient treatment for substance use where they may participate in counseling and therapy.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff