New AMA Report Details Grim Realities Of Worsening Overdose Epidemic
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Legal Status
These medicines are often misused in combination with other drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana. Pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant found in many OTC cold medicines, can be used to make methamphetamine. For this reason, products containing pseudoephedrine are sold “behind the counter” nationwide.
The participating organizations are handing out the packages at no cost. The campaign start coincided with the release of the Mayor’s Executive Order decriminalizing fentanyl test strips in Philadelphia. It was supported by many community partners including Savage Sisters, The Everywhere Project, South Philly Punks with Lunch, and 24HRPHL. The campaign targeted areas that had seen an increase in overdoses as well as areas where people use drugs recreationally. Oregon is experiencing an influx of fentanyl in the form of counterfeit pills. Many of these pills are made to look identical to prescription opioids and are falsely marketed to people in the community as legitimate.
Making naloxone more widely available falls into the broader picture of what is known as harm reduction—promoting services and public health policies that mitigate the harmful effects of drug and alcohol use. While using fentanyl, you should talk to your doctor about having a rescue medication called naloxone readily available (e.g., home, office). Naloxone is used to reverse the life-threatening effects of an overdose.
“When narcan is applied, when fentanyl testing strips are applied, when any harm reduction method is applied, they have an opportunity to survive another day from this terminal illness,” Atkinson said. He’d been in and out of rehab more than half a dozen times when fentanyl inundated Ohio. The person could lapse back into unconsciousness and might need another dose of naloxone. This is because the overdose can worsen and last for up to several hours, whereas naloxone can wear off after 30 to 90 minutes.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid commonly used in medical settings for pain management. Due to its potency, questions often arise about its availability, particularly regarding the query, “can you buy fentanyl over the counter?”
Below are a few of our partners that are able to provide regular access to resources. Do not let anyone else use your medication, even if he or she has the same symptoms that you have. Selling or giving away this medication may cause severe harm or death to others and is against the law. Fentanyl comes as four different transmucosal products and several other types of products. The medication in each product is absorbed differently by the body, so one product cannot be substituted for any other fentanyl product.
Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine. Serious side effects can occur if your medical doctor or dentist gives you certain other medicines without knowing that you are using fentanyl. Heat can cause the fentanyl in the patch to be absorbed into your body faster. This may increase the chance of serious side effects or an overdose. While you are using this medicine, do not use a heating pad, electric blanket, heat or tanning lamps, sauna, a sunlamp, or a heated water bed, and do not sunbathe, or take long baths or showers in hot water.
The best way to use them is to dissolve all the drugs you plan to use in water. Fentanyl might not be everywhere evenly in your product, so if you only test a portion of your supply you might end up missing it. Fentanyl test strips aren’t legal everywhere because some states consider them to be drug paraphernalia (items you need to do drugs).
The Nature of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is approximately 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and has legitimate medical uses, such as:
- Management of severe pain, particularly in cancer patients
- Post-surgical anesthesia
- Chronic pain management for patients with a high opioid tolerance
Regulation of Fentanyl
Given its high potential for addiction and overdose, fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States. This classification means:
- Fentanyl cannot be purchased over the counter.
- A prescription from a licensed healthcare provider is required.
- Unauthorized possession or distribution can lead to severe legal consequences.
Can You Buy Fentanyl Over the Counter?
To directly address the question, “can you buy fentanyl over the counter?”, the answer is a definitive no. Here’s why:
- Fentanyl is not available in pharmacies without a prescription.
- Any product containing fentanyl must comply with strict regulations.
- Illicit forms of fentanyl are often mixed with other substances, posing significant health risks.
Risks of Illicit Fentanyl
Buying fentanyl outside of legal and medical channels is incredibly dangerous. Risks include:
- Increased likelihood of overdose due to the potency of illegal products.
- Uncertainty about the composition and purity of the substance.
- Legal consequences for possession or use of illicit substances.
- When these drugs became harder to get for nonmedical use, heroin use increased.
- Substance use can have a serious impact on individual and community health.
- A key tool in helping prevent overdose deaths is naloxone, which is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including fentanyl.
- Since 2019, 134,280 doses of NARCAN® have been distributed at no cost through community agencies to people who use opioids or drugs that could be mixed with opioids, and their families and friends.
- In case of overdose, remove the fentanyl from the victim’s mouth and call local emergency services at 911.
Alternatives to Fentanyl
For those seeking pain management options, consult with a healthcare provider. Alternatives may include:
- Other prescribed medications such as NSAIDs or non-opioids.
- Physical therapy and other non-pharmacological treatments.
- Interventional procedures like nerve blocks.
FAQs
1. What should I do if I am in severe pain?
If you are experiencing severe pain, consult a medical professional for appropriate evaluation and treatment options.
2. Are there safe ways to manage chronic pain without opioids?
Yes, exploring non-opioid medications, physical therapy, and alternative treatments can often provide effective relief.
3. What are the signs of fentanyl overdose?
Signs include severe drowsiness, confusion, difficulty breathing, and bluish skin. Emergency help should be sought immediately if these symptoms occur.
4. How can I safely dispose of unused fentanyl medication?
Follow local regulations for medication disposal or return them to designated drug take-back locations to prevent misuse.
Understanding the risks and regulations surrounding fentanyl is crucial in preventing misuse and protecting public health. Therefore, the answer to “can you buy fentanyl over the counter?” is clear: it is a controlled substance available only via prescription, emphasizing the importance of responsible pain management practices.
