When it comes to substance use monitoring, street drugs laced with fentanyl pose a real testing challenge. Positive Fentanyl test results can have a high rate of unconfirmed positives, in part because of the constant changes illicit labs make to fentanyl formulations. The expanded panel includes 16 different fentanyl analogs, including carfentanil. Because original fentanyl […]
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Street Drugs laced with Fentanyl pose a testing challenge
In 2016, synthetic opioids surpassed prescription opioids as the most common drugs in overdose deaths. At 100 times the potency of morphine, fentanyl is a strong synthetic prescription opioid that is also illegally manufactured in clandestine labs in China and Mexico and sold online or transported across the Southern U.S. border.
Read MoreThe Changes and Challenges of Designer Drugs
Designer drugs have exploded onto the scene in the past decade. These psychoactive substances are often manufactured overseas and sold in the U.S. over the internet. Others are sold in gas stations, smoke shops, or convenience stores. Marketed as natural, consumers think they are less dangerous. Side effects differ, but synthetics can cause aggressive and […]
Read MoreFDA approves tool to help combat opioid crisis
The opioid epidemic in the United States is now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50, with no end in sight. More people die from drug overdoses than of any other non-natural cause, including guns, suicide and car accidents. Last November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Sublocade, a […]
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