The primary difference between carfentanil vs. fentanyl is that only fentanyl is approved for use in humans. Even though carfentanil is used solely in veterinary medicine, this powerful fentanyl analog has claimed the lives of thousands of Americans, many of whom consumed it unknowingly after purchasing street drugs.
This article will compare carfentanil vs. fentanyl in terms of potency, chemical structure, overdose potential, and other key factors to help you get more familiar with these drugs and the risks they carry.
What Is Carfentanil, and How Does It Work?
Carfentanil is an ultrapotent opioid used in veterinary medicine, usually as a tranquilizer for large animals, such as elephants. Most commonly, it comes as a powder resembling cocaine or heroin.
As a fentanyl analog, carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that mimics its effects. It acts on the opioid receptors found primarily in the central nervous system (CNS), typically as an amu-receptor agonist.
Importantly, carfentanil is not FDA-approved for medical use in humans.
Nonetheless, it has made its way onto the black market, with most users not even being aware they’re consuming this exceptionally potent drug. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as crystal meth, fentanyl, illicit opioids, or cocaine, to enhance their potency. Unfortunately, even a minuscule amount of this drug can be deadly.
What Is Fentanyl, and How Does It Work?
Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid prescribed for severe pain like after surgery, resistant to non-opioid pain medications. It is also sometimes administered for anesthesia.
Available as a generic or brand-name drug, fentanyl comes in various forms, including:
- Injections (Sublimaze®)
- Nasal sprays (Lazanda®)
- Buccal tablets (Fentora®)
- Sublingual sprays (Subsys®)
- Transdermal patches (Duragesic®)
Fentanyl works by interacting with opioid receptors throughout the CNS, impeding the transmission of pain signals between the body and the brain. While it reduces pain perception, it also causes rewarding effects—euphoria and deep relaxation—by stimulating dopamine release. This contributes to fentanyl’s potential for addiction.
Taking fentanyl as prescribed is of vital importance, as abusing this drug considerably increases the risk of opioid dependence, addiction, and overdose.
Due to its exceptional potency and relatively low cost, fentanyl has become a common street drug, leading to the third wave of the opioid epidemic in the United States. Illicit fentanyl is often used to lace or replace other street drugs, including counterfeit oxycodone. Some street names for it include Jackpot, Murder 8, Friend, China Town, and King Ivory.
Now that you’re more familiar with both of these synthetic opioids, it’s time for an in-depth comparison of carfentanil vs. fentanyl.
6 Key Differences Between Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl
One of the key differences between carfentanil vs. fentanyl lies in their medicinal applications; unlike carfentanil, fentanyl is used for opioid pain management in humans.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of carfentanil vs. fentanyl differences:
Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl Potency
Potency is among the most striking differences between carfentanil vs. fentanyl. Carfentanil’s potency is considerably greater than that of fentanyl, which is considered one of the most potent opioids.
Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl. While fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine, carfentanil can be 10,000 times more powerful than morphine.
Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl Chemical Structure
Carfentanil (molecular formula C24H30N2O3) and fentanyl (molecular formula C22H28N2O) are both synthetic opioids with a similar chemical structure, as carfentanil is a fentanyl derivative. However, its chemical structure is slightly altered by adding a carbomethoxy group to the fourth position of fentanyl’s piperidine ring, resulting in even greater potency and effects.
Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl Cost
When it comes to carfentanil vs. fentanyl, it’s worth noting that only fentanyl is approved for human medicinal use, and it can only be obtained by prescription. Its price may vary based on the strength of your prescription, the drug’s formulation, and your insurance coverage. Only generic versions of fentanyl may be covered by insurance.
For example, a generic 200 mg fentanyl oral transmucosal lozenge costs around $13.45. However, you may have to pay upwards of $90 for a single Actiq® transmucosal lozenge of the same strength.
Never buy fentanyl, carfentanil, or other drugs illicitly, as this puts you at high risk of a potentially fatal overdose.
Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl Addiction Potential
Carfentanil and fentanyl have an extremely high potential for addiction, which is why both are treated as Schedule II controlled substances.
It’s worth noting that holding a DEA license for Schedule II drugs isn’t sufficient for purchasing carfentanil, as the DEA keeps a list of individuals authorized to obtain it. This also applies to etorphine, an extremely potent Schedule II semi-synthetic opioid derived from morphine.
Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl Overdose
Both carfentanil and fentanyl expose people to a very high risk of overdose. While fentanyl overdoses have been plaguing the U.S. and other countries since around 2013, carfentanil has a considerably higher potential to cause a deadly overdose due to its extreme potency.
The only way to reverse a carfentanil or fentanyl overdose is to administer naloxone early enough. However, given that these opioids are exceptionally potent, a single dose of naloxone may not be enough to reverse an overdose, especially one caused by carfentanil.
Therefore, you should call 911 as soon as you notice any signs of an opioid overdose, such as profound sedation, pinpoint pupils, skin discoloration, or slowed breathing.
Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl Medical Applications
Carfentanil vs. fentanyl differ significantly in terms of medical applications. Only fentanyl is approved for medical use in humans as an analgesic and anesthetic. While carfentanil is approved for veterinary use in large animals, fentanyl is sometimes used extra-labelly in small animals, such as dogs.
Next, let’s compare carfentanil vs. fentanyl side effects.
Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl Side Effects
Carfentanil vs. fentanyl side effect profiles don’t differ much; as synthetic opioids, both drugs can cause similar side effects, such as:
- Itching
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
If you experience any severe adverse reactions, such as difficulty breathing, after using carfentanil or fentanyl, seek medical help immediately.
Do not mix either of these drugs with other opioids, alcohol, sedatives, or other substances that may interact with them, as this amplifies the risk of serious side effects and overdose. If you’re taking any other medications or supplements, inform your doctor about them before initiating opioid therapy to ensure they can be safely taken together.
Prolonged use of carfentanil and fentanyl increases the risk of various adverse effects, including:
- Tolerance and opioid dependence
- Carfentanil or fentanyl addiction
- Fertility problems
Due to the extreme potency of these opioids, organ damage, respiratory depression, overdose, and death may occur with just one fentanyl or carfentanil dose.
Other Risk Factors of Carfentanil and Fentanyl
Some risk factors that enhance the likelihood of adverse events associated with carfentanil and fentanyl include:
- Constipation
- Poor liver function
- Kidney impairment
- Cardiovascular problems
- Allergy to fentanyl or carfentanil
- Substance use disorders (SUDs), including alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Furthermore, opioid use during pregnancy is generally not recommended due to the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and other adverse outcomes.
If you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant while using carfentanil or fentanyl, consult your doctor to determine the best course of action.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Physical dependence and addiction to opioids are different, even though these terms are often used synonymously. Although they can co-occur, it isn’t always the case; some people are dependent on opioids without being addicted. The main difference between these conditions is that dependence is physical, whereas addiction is predominantly psychological.
Opioid dependence develops with prolonged opioid use, which alters brain chemistry, leading to increased opioid receptor production. In turn, people develop tolerance, which may cause them to increase their opioid intake. This is something you should never do without your doctor’s permission, as it amplifies the risk of addiction and opioid overdose.
If left untreated, dependence can evolve into an opioid addiction, characterized by a loss of control over drug use. Those addicted display problematic patterns of opioid use.
Luckily, professional opioid addiction treatment can help you reclaim control of your life and end the cycle of opioid abuse and addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
Seek professional help if you display the following signs and symptoms of opioid dependence:
- Tolerance. Fentanyl and other opioids lose their effectiveness over time as the number of opioid receptors in the nervous system increases. If the dose you’ve been prescribed no longer produces the desired effects, consult your doctor.
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms. Opioid dependence refers to the physical reliance on opioid drugs, meaning those who are dependent need them to function normally. This is because the absence of these drugs triggers uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
The psychological and physical effects of opioid withdrawal considerably increase the risk of relapse and subsequent overdose, which may be deadly. Therefore, you should never quit opioids—be they prescription painkillers or street drugs—without medical supervision.
Free Yourself From Opioid Dependence Today With ANR Treatment
Developed by Dr. Andre Waismann, Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a state-of-the-art treatment that addresses the neurobiological causes of opioid dependence.
ANR approaches opioid dependence treatment from a medical perspective, targeting its root cause instead of managing its symptoms. By re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system to a pre-dependence state, this innovative method eradicates withdrawal symptoms, negating the risk of relapse.
3 Benefits of Undergoing ANR Treatment
The three key benefits of undergoing ANR treatment are:
- Safety. ANR is very safe, even for those with co-occurring health conditions, as it is tailored to each patient individually. Most importantly, it is performed in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals with advanced medical equipment by highly experienced, board-certified healthcare professionals.
- Effectiveness. As the only treatment that brings the nervous system back to balance, ANR reverses opioid-induced damage to the brain and eliminates cravings. As a result, it has an exceptionally high success rate.
- Brief treatment duration. ANR treatment can help you conquer carfentanil or fentanyl dependence within days, even if you’ve been battling it for years. The average hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only around 36 hours, and patients return home within days.
Meet Amanda, one of thousands of ANR patients whose powerful story shows that it is possible to break the chains of fentanyl dependence once and for all:
Whether you’re dependent on fentanyl, carfentanil, sufentanil, or another opioid, know it’s never too late to return to an opioid-free life.
Take the first step toward the life you deserve today by contacting us for a free, 100% confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways
When it comes to carfentanil vs. fentanyl, one thing to keep in mind is that both of these drugs are extremely potent and can cause an overdose, even in tiny doses.
If you’re taking fentanyl for pain management, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to reduce the risk of dependence, addiction, and overdose.
Lastly, let’s go over the key points we covered today:
- Carfentanil is an extremely potent analog of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid used to tranquilize large animals like elephants.
- Carfentanil is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl and roughly 10,000 times more potent than morphine, making it extremely dangerous.
- ANR is an ultra-modern treatment that can help you break free from carfentanil or fentanyl dependence within days through endorphin-receptor system modulation.
Carfentanil vs. Fentanyl FAQ
Whether or not carfentanil is absorbed through the skin remains a controversial subject, as it hasn’t been studied extensively yet. However, a study by researchers from Aberdeen Proving Ground suggests that the rate of carfentanil’s dermal absorption is similar to that of fentanyl. Small amounts of carfentanil aren’t likely to cause significant harm through skin contact.
You can test for carfentanil with fentanyl test strips (FTS), though they may not always detect the presence of carfentanil. Because of this, it’s best to stay clear of street drugs that may contain carfentanil or other fentanyl derivatives. Even a tiny amount of them can be lethal.
Carfentanil cannot be used in human medicine. It has no approved medical uses in humans; carfentanil is only used in veterinary medicine as a tranquilizer. Nonetheless, carfentanil-related deaths are on the rise both in and outside the U.S. Researchers from Vilnius University found that 15 out of 63 drug-related deaths that occurred between 2015 and 2017 involved carfentanil.
The half-life of carfentanil is around 7.7 hours, which means that it takes nearly 8 hours for the body to eliminate half a dose of it. However, it typically takes roughly five half-lives for drugs to clear the system fully.
