Resurgence of Fentanyl as a Drug of Abuse

作者：LjubisaJovan Dragovic, LaurenP Tamburro, JenanH Al-Hadidi · 发表于：Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine · 年份：2016 · DOI：10.4103/2349-5014.184195 · 被引用次数：14 · 研究领域：Opioid Use Disorder Treatment、Pain Management and Opioid Use、Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis

Fentanyl, a powerful opioid analgesic introduced over 50 years ago, has a major role in modern anesthesia and chronic pain relief but has also gained a major role in illicit use. After a spike in fentanyl abuse between 2005 and 2007, fentanyl deaths decreased until 2010, with the introduction of “abuse-deterrent” OxyContin. Our data indicate a recent rise in fentanyl-related deaths beginning in 2013, which follows national trends. With the re-emergence of the synthetic narcotic analgesic of high potency as a popular drug of abuse and the alarmingly increasing mortality associated with its abuse, there are profound implications for public health, health care providers, law enforcement, and the society in general.