Synthetic Heroin: What Is Synthetic Heroin?

“Synthetic heroin” is a general term for synthetic opioids like fentanyl, carfentanil, and methadone that are mixed and cut with other opioids and fillers. The epidemic of prescription opioid addiction has created a demand for other forms of heroin and stronger, illicit drugs.

While heroin is a “natural opioid” derived from the opium poppy, it carries strong negative side effects and the risk of overdose, just as with synthetic heroin and other opioids.

How Is Synthetic Heroin Used?

Drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil that are mixed with other opioids can be injected, snorted, or smoked.

What Does Synthetic Heroin Do?

Fentanyl is about 50 times more potent than heroin, while carfentanil is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl. For a person that takes a white powder named “synthetic heroin,” there is a range of possible potency and high danger involved. For example, carfentanil is used as an animal sedative, while fentanyl is usually taken as an extended-release pain reliever patch.

Both will bind to opioid receptors in the brain and may cause deadly overdose symptoms.

Effects Of Synthetic Heroin Use

Since illicitly produced synthetic heroin encompasses a number of opioid drugs with varying levels of potency, their effects will vary in intensity.

Short-Term Effects

All prescription opioids and other forms of synthetic heroin will produce similar effects, as they all work to slow down vital central nervous system processes.

In the short-term, these opiates will produce effects including:

• sedation
• pain-relief
• euphoria
• confusion
• constipation
• relaxation
• respiratory depression
• constricted pupils
• dizziness
• nausea/vomiting

Long-Term Effects

People that regularly use heroin may take synthetic heroin. The long-term effects of many synthetic opioid analgesics include permanent physical and emotional damage.

Some effects of prolonged synthetic heroin abuse include:

• low blood pressure
• irregular heartbeat
• weakened heart valves
• heart attack
• stroke
• memory loss
• irritability
• chronic depression
• increased risk of cancers and infections
• kidney damage
• liver damage (hepatitis)
• constipation

Abuse of synthetic opioids like fentanyl places stress on the heart, organ systems, and may cause brain damage.

Synthetic Heroin Drug Overdose

Because drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil are much more powerful than heroin, an increase in dosage by the smallest amount could cause a deadly overdose. Opioid overdose is a healthcare crisis, and opioid overdose deaths have been reported in emergency departments across the country.

Signs of a synthetic heroin overdose may include:

• coma
• slow or labored breathing
• cold or clammy skin
• agitation and confusion
• pinpoint pupils
• extreme drowsiness and lethargy

Overdoses can be treated with naloxone (Narcan) if addressed quickly.

Heroin Dependence And Withdrawal Symptoms

Just like heroin, the synthetic drugs passed off as synthetic heroin attach to opioid receptors and can make people both emotionally addicted and physically dependent.

Some withdrawal symptoms and signs of heroin addiction include:

• severe cravings
• depression
• irritability
• uncontrollable leg movements
• increased blood pressure and heart rate
• insomnia
• flushing
• chills
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• weakness
• muscle and bone pain
• cold flashes with goosebumps

Getting Help For Synthetic Heroin Addiction

Addiction to synthetic opioids like fentanyl and carfentanil requires professional treatment, and given how potent these substances are, the risk of fatal overdose during unsupported detox or relapse is extremely high. Treatment typically begins with medically supervised detox using medications such as methadone or buprenorphine to manage withdrawal safely, followed by inpatient or outpatient rehab programs and long-term medication-assisted treatment to reduce cravings and prevent relapse.

Recovery from synthetic opioid addiction is possible with the right support in place. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s free helpline is available 24 hours a day and can connect you with local treatment options regardless of your insurance status or financial situation.