Efectos nocivos del fentanilo en la salud de los consumidores

Abstract

Synthetic opioid overdose, particularly fentanyl, has been described as the third wave of the opioid crisis, with the first wave being prescription opioid abuse, followed by heroin intoxication. However, heroin intoxication has been replaced by fentanyl because its manufacturing cost is significantly lower than that of heroin. Fentanyl belongs to the synthetic opioid family, is highly potent —up to 100 times more than morphine— and is used to treat severe pain in medical contexts, such as in oncology patients or during surgical procedures. The harmful effects of fentanyl on users' health are a serious and multifaceted concern that demands a comprehensive and urgent response. This synthetic opioid, recognized for its excessive potency, has triggered a global public health issue characterized by an alarming increase in deaths and hospitalizations due to overdose