The drug is said to be 10,000 times stronger than morphine.
The DEA has said of the drug in a public health warning: “Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
“The presence of carfentanil in illicit US drug markets is cause for concern, as the relative strength of this drug could lead to an increase in overdoses and overdose-related deaths, even among opioid-tolerant users.”
‘s so strong that veterinarians use it to tranquilize elephants and other large animals.
Not only does carfentanil harm the person who has taken it, but the drug poses a serious threat to first responders and law enforcement personnel who may come in contact with it, says the DEA.
“Carfentanil and other fentanyl analogues present a serious risk to public safety, first responder, medical, treatment, and laboratory personnel,” the government agency warns.
“These substances can come in several forms, including powder, blotter paper, tablets, patch, and spray. Some forms can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled.”
Data from 2024 found that the drug contributed to 413 overdose deaths.
