Fentanyl analogs are extremely dangerous synthetic opioids. While they resemble fentanyl, their chemical structure slightly differs, resulting in even greater potency and potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. Even the tiniest amount of these drugs can have lethal consequences.
Amid the opioid epidemic, learning more about fentanyl analogs is of utmost importance. After all, education and awareness are essential for prevention, and “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Read along to learn more about fentanyl analogs, including their effects and side effects, risks and dangers, as well as treatment options for dependence and addiction.
What Are Fentanyl Analogs?
Fentanyl analogs—or “fentalogs”—are exceptionally potent synthetic opioids that mimic the effects of fentanyl but have a slightly different chemical structure.
Approximately 50 times more powerful than heroin, fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids. As a Schedule II controlled substance, it has a very high potential for abuse, dependence, addiction, and overdose but can be prescribed for severe pain or anesthesia.
However, fentanyl has become a popular street drug, bringing about the third wave of the U.S. opioid epidemic. Due to its extreme potency and low cost, it is used to lace or replace other drugs, such as counterfeit oxycodone.
Since the late 2010s, even more powerful—and deadly—fentanyl analogs have entered the black market. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of fentanyl analog trafficking offenses increased by 113.5%.
Some examples of fentanyl analogs include:
- Alfentanil
- Sufentanil
- Carfentanil
- Remifentanil
- Acrylfentanyl
- Butyrfentanyl
- Acetylfentanyl
- Fluorofentanyl
- Furanylfentanyl
- β-hydroxythiofentanyl
While most fentanyl analogs are illicit, some—namely, alfentanil, sufentanil, and remifentanil—have approved medicinal uses in the United States. Like fentanyl, they can be used for analgesic or anesthetic purposes.
Meanwhile, the most potent fentanyl analog, carfentanil, is used as a tranquilizer in veterinary medicine. It is around 100 times more potent than fentanyl and as many as 10,000 times more powerful than morphine.
To better understand how carfentanil compares to fentanyl in terms of potency, medical use, and risk, read our detailed article on Carfentanil vs Fentanyl.
Why Are Fentanyl Analogs So Dangerous?
Fentanyl analogs are extremely dangerous because of their potency. Since they are exceptionally fast-acting, they may cause respiratory depression and opioid overdose even in minuscule amounts. A fentanyl analog overdose can happen very quickly, and it can be lethal without prompt medical help.
According to a CDC report, between July and December 2016, 5,152 opioid overdose deaths occurred in the ten states participating in the CDC’s Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance (ESOOS) program. 14% of them involved carfentanil and other fentanyl analogs.
However, fentanyl analog deaths are largely underreported because specialized toxicology testing is required to detect these synthetic drugs.
Worse yet, the potency of fentanyl analogs may vary widely, as these drugs are unregulated. They can also be mixed with other substances, such as cocaine, further amplifying the overdose risk and complicating its treatment. The effects of fentanyl analogs can be unpredictable, and a single dose of naloxone may not be enough to reverse the overdose.
When it comes to illicit drugs, no dose is safe for consumption. This is especially true with fentanyl analogs, given that they can be tens of thousands of times more powerful than other opioids.
Side Effects of Using Fentanyl Analogs
Common side effects of using fentanyl analogs include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sedation
- Itchy skin
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Stomach ache
- Loss of appetite
- Lightheadedness
- Trouble breathing
Although the side effects of fentanyl analogs often resemble those of fentanyl, they can also be unpredictable. If you experience severe adverse reactions, such as allergies, difficulty breathing, or blood pressure changes, seek medical assistance immediately.
Furthermore, it can be difficult to distinguish a fentanyl analog overdose from side effects because both can cause confusion, breathing problems, and other similar symptoms. In any case, it’s best to contact 911; when it comes to opioid overdoses, every second counts.
Using fentanyl analogs is dangerous on its own, and mixing them with other drugs further increases the risk of severe adverse effects, overdose, and death. Speedballing, i.e., mixing fentanyl analogs with stimulants, is particularly perilous, as these drugs have opposite effects and may overwhelm the central nervous system (CNS).
Fentanyl analogs can also lead to:
- Tolerance
- Dependence
- Opioid addiction
- Weakened immune system
- Kidney, liver, and other organ damage
- Brain damage caused by trauma or a lack of oxygen
- Exacerbation of mental health conditions, such as depression
Fentanyl Analog Dependence and Addiction Development
Fentanyl analog dependence and addiction can develop very quickly, as these drugs have powerful, rapid effects. To better understand how these conditions develop, we should first learn more about how fentanyl analogs work and affect the brain.
Like all opioids, fentanyl analogs block pain signals by acting on the opioid receptors located in the CNS. However, they also trigger a surge of dopamine, leading to intense euphoria and deep relaxation. These rewarding effects are precisely what causes most people to abuse fentanyl analogs.
Repeated exposure to fentanyl analogs causes the brain to stop producing endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers—and create more opioid receptors, leading to tolerance.
Tolerance signifies physical dependence. Once you become dependent on fentanyl analogs, you will need increasingly larger amounts of them to achieve the initial effects, which perpetuates the cycle of opioid abuse and addiction. Given how potent these drugs are, escalating doses can be deadly.
If you try to stop using fentanyl analogs after becoming dependent, you’ll experience physically and mentally distressing opioid withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can make it virtually impossible for you to become sober; many people dependent on opioids continue taking them just to feel normal.
However, the importance of treating physical dependence cannot be overstated. If left untreated, it can develop into addiction.
Fentanyl analog addiction differs from dependence in that it is largely psychological; it causes you to lose control over opioid use. Consequently, people addicted to fentanyl analogs cannot stop taking them, even when their relationships, careers, health, or even life are at stake.
Risks and Limitations of Traditional Treatments for Fentanyl Analog Dependence
The greatest risk and limitation of traditional treatments for fentanyl analog dependence is that they do not treat its underlying causes, which considerably amplifies the risk of relapse.
Some examples of traditional treatments for fentanyl analog dependence include:
- Inpatient detox
- Outpatient detox
- Anesthesia-assisted rapid detox
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Traditional opioid addiction treatments only treat the symptoms of fentanyl analog dependence, but they do not address its root cause—the opioid-induced neurochemical imbalance.
For example, MAT combines counseling and behavioral therapies with opioid replacement drugs, such as buprenorphine and methadone. While these medications are generally safer than fentanyl analogs, they can also be abused. All opioids, including those used in MAT, can lead to addiction and overdose.
MAT can take months and even years, and you may still suffer from uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms upon quitting opioid-replacement drugs. Since this treatment does not repair the damage opioids cause to the brain, it may lead to relapse.
Similarly, detox treatments only help the body clear fentanyl analogs, but they do not restore normal brain function. As a result, withdrawal symptoms may persist even after treatment completion. Rapid detox treatments, such as ultra-rapid detoxification, are particularly dangerous due to the risk of complications, such as pulmonary edema.
The only way to cure fentanyl analog dependence and eliminate the risk of withdrawal symptoms and relapse is to fix the chemical imbalance caused by opioid use. Unfortunately, traditional opioid treatment programs fail to do that, increasing the risk of relapse.
Relapse after abstinence is extremely dangerous due to the high risk of overdose. As a result of decreased tolerance, even your typical dose may dangerously suppress your breathing. Since fentanyl analogs are extremely potent, even a tiny amount can be lethal, especially for those with low opioid tolerance.
What Is Accelerated Neuro-Regulation, and How Does It Work?
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a cutting-edge opioid dependence treatment that can help you recover from fentanyl analog dependence quickly, safely, and effectively. It works by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system, thereby addressing the root of opioid dependence and facilitating long-term recovery.
Here are some of the key benefits ANR offers:
#1. Lasting Recovery
ANR treatment supports long-term recovery by achieving what traditional therapies can’t: a balanced nervous system.
ANR recognizes that opioid dependence is a neurobiological condition. Rather than treating its symptoms, this innovative approach targets its root by repairing the endorphin system and restoring the brain to its pre-dependence state. ANR effectively reverses opioid dependence at a neurochemical level, negating the risk of ongoing withdrawal symptoms and relapse.
Consequently, ANR treatment boasts an unprecedented success rate. It has facilitated the recovery of almost 25,000 people worldwide.
#2. Short Treatment Duration
You won’t have to take weeks or months out of your normal life to undergo ANR. While the procedure takes 4–6 hours, the average hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours. In other words, most ANR patients can return home within days of hospitalization.
To facilitate endorphin-system optimization, our team will provide you with personalized guidelines and continue to work with you as you return to a healthy, opioid-free life.
#3. Highest Safety Standards
At ANR Clinic, patient safety is our top priority. Therefore, the treatment is always carried out in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment, regardless of which ANR center you choose.
Furthermore, the ANR team includes highly experienced and compassionate board-certified medical professionals, from critical care nurses to anesthesiologists.
To learn more about ANR and start your recovery journey, contact us today for a free, 100% confidential consultation.
The Importance of Early Intervention for Fentanyl Analog Use
Early intervention for fentanyl analog use is critical because these drugs are exceptionally potent, addictive, and deadly. After all, they can cause an overdose at much lower doses than other opioids. Therefore, it is vital to seek professional help for fentanyl analog use and dependence as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, early intervention for fentanyl analog use can reduce the risk of addiction and health complications, some of which—such as brain damage—can have lifelong consequences. Although it is never too late to get treatment for dependence and addiction, the sooner you seek help for fentanyl analog use, the less of a toll it may take on your life and well-being.
Key Takeaways
Hopefully, this article helped you understand the dangers of fentanyl analogs and the importance of seeking professional help for opioid dependency.
Let’s summarize the key points we covered:
- Fentanyl analogs are synthetic opioids that are exceptionally powerful; they can be 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
- Due to their extreme potency, fentanyl analogs expose users to an even higher risk of dependence, addiction, overdose, and death than other opioids, including fentanyl. Because of this, early intervention for fentanyl analog use is of vital importance.
- ANR is the only opioid dependence treatment that re-balances the endorphin-receptor system, negating the risk of persistent withdrawal symptoms and relapse.
Fentanyl Analog FAQ
Yes, ANR can help with severe cases of fentanyl analog dependence. ANR treatment reverses the damage opioids, including fentanyl analogs, cause to the brain by modulating the endorphin system. It can help you overcome fentanyl analog dependence, regardless of its extent.
Fentanyl is an opioid agonist. It interacts with opioid receptors, activating them fully. Besides alleviating pain through the obstruction of pain signal transmission, it also triggers dopamine release, inducing intense euphoria and relaxation. This contributes to its potential for addiction.
Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) are a large subclass of novel psychoactive substances that include potent synthetic analgesics and anesthetics. Aside from fentanyl analogs, examples of novel synthetic opioids include nitazenes, such as isotonitazene and etonitazene. NSOs have an even higher potential for abuse, dependence, addiction, and overdose than typical opioids.
Fentanyl is not an opiate, but it is an opioid. The difference between opiates and opioids is that opiates only encompass natural opioids, i.e., those that are derived directly from the opium poppy plant, such as morphine. Since fentanyl is completely human-made and produced in laboratories, it is not an opiate.
