Overdose alert: Montreal health experts warn of ‘new’ synthetic opioid

NO082225_OPIOIDS

Montreal health officials are warning of a ‘new’ synthetic opioid that has been linked to overdoses in recent weeks.

Cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid different from those usually circulating, has been detected locally in several forms, including fentanyl powders and counterfeit tablets. Health officials are warning users to be wary of, for example, fake oxycodone tablets and fake hydromorphone tablets.

Test strips currently available to test the content of substances do not detect cychlorphine.

“This reinforces the importance for users not to use alone and for those accompanying them to have naloxone and know how to use it,” the health agency noted.

In case of doubt, the public health agency said people should not hesitate to use it, because naloxone is not dangerous even if it isn’t necessary.

Regardless of the substance consumed, naloxone is the best treatment if someone:

• Has difficulty breathing
• Makes a snore-like gurgling noise
• Is not breathing at all
• Reacts minimally or not at all to noise and pain.
• Presents cyanosis (bluish lips and fingernails) and miosis (pinpoint pupils).

These symptoms are likely to progress to cardiorespiratory arrest.

In case of overdose, people are urged to call 911 immediately.

Montreal public health is urging street-drug users to be cautious, regardless of consumption method (inhalation, injection, oral or other).

It also encourages clinicians and care providers to increase overdose prevention interventions by informing street-drug users of the risks of consuming cychlorphine unintentionally.

According to Montreal public health, people should use safer drug practices, like:

• avoiding using alone, or
• notify someone and stay in contact with a resource like the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) 1-888-688-6677, Remote Service for Overdose Prevention (RSOP) 1-800-265-2626, option 2.
• if several people are using, they should avoid using at the same time.
• reduce the dose of a drug to test its effects, and use supervised consumption services.