According to the CDC, nearly 70% of all U.S. overdose deaths last year involved illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs), with carfentanil playing a dangerous role. Initially linked to a wave of deaths in 2016, carfentanil had largely disappeared from the drug supply until recently. Between January and June 2024, overdose deaths involving carfentanil spiked approximately sevenfold, rising from 29 to 238 cases compared to the same period in 2023.
Why Carfentanil is So Dangerous
Carfentanil’s potency and its potential to be mixed with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines, cocaine, and opioids, make it especially deadly. Many users are unaware they are consuming carfentanil, which mirrors how fentanyl was initially introduced as a heroin adulterant. This lack of awareness increases the likelihood of accidental overdoses.
Moreover, carfentanil can become airborne, making it even riskier. Inhaling even a small amount can lead to rapid respiratory failure and death. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, emphasized that even trace amounts of carfentanil can be fatal.
Why is Carfentanil Reappearing?
Unlike heroin, which relies on opium poppy cultivation, carfentanil is a synthetic drug that can be easily manufactured in illegal labs. This accessibility has contributed to its reemergence, raising concerns about its infiltration into the drug supply.
The CDC has now called for rigorous monitoring of carfentanil and other highly potent opioids, such as certain nitazene analogs, to prevent further escalation in overdose deaths. They have also noted that prevention efforts targeting IMFs could help mitigate carfentanil-related overdoses. However, given its extreme potency, faster response times and higher doses of naloxone may be required to save lives.