Historical perspectives and emerging trends in fentanyl use: Part 2 – overdose and misuse

The misuse of fentanyl and its analogs has significantly worsened the opioid crisis, leading to a sharp increase in overdose fatalities. Fentanyl overdose primarily causes severe respiratory depression, which can result in hypoxia, cardiac arrest, and death, often exacerbated by co-intoxication. Add...

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Main Authors: Stanila Stoeva-Grigorova, Maya Radeva-Ilieva, Nadezhda Karkkeselyan, Stela Dragomanova, Gabriela Kehayova, Simeonka Dimitrova, Maria Petrova, Snezha Zlateva, Petko Marinov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2025-06-01
Series:Pharmacia
Online Access:https://pharmacia.pensoft.net/article/149215/download/pdf/
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author Stanila Stoeva-Grigorova
Maya Radeva-Ilieva
Nadezhda Karkkeselyan
Stela Dragomanova
Gabriela Kehayova
Simeonka Dimitrova
Maria Petrova
Snezha Zlateva
Petko Marinov
author_facet Stanila Stoeva-Grigorova
Maya Radeva-Ilieva
Nadezhda Karkkeselyan
Stela Dragomanova
Gabriela Kehayova
Simeonka Dimitrova
Maria Petrova
Snezha Zlateva
Petko Marinov
author_sort Stanila Stoeva-Grigorova
collection DOAJ
description The misuse of fentanyl and its analogs has significantly worsened the opioid crisis, leading to a sharp increase in overdose fatalities. Fentanyl overdose primarily causes severe respiratory depression, which can result in hypoxia, cardiac arrest, and death, often exacerbated by co-intoxication. Additionally, the opioid in question can induce chest wall rigidity, further complicating treatment procedures. Despite international control efforts, the drug’s high potency and low cost have fueled its widespread trafficking, including in counterfeit pills. While naloxone is the primary antidote, its effectiveness is limited, highlighting the need for stronger, long-acting treatments. Factors such as polypharmacy, prescription misuse, and environmental exposure – as well as the potential for fentanyl’s use as a chemical weapon – pose significant public safety risks. In conclusion, addressing the current wave of the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive approach, integrating treatment solutions, prevention, and harm reduction strategies.
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issn 2603-557X
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publisher Pensoft Publishers
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series Pharmacia
spelling doaj-art-93c705d551d743f29461be7828a1ddcc2025-08-20T02:06:22ZengPensoft PublishersPharmacia2603-557X2025-06-017211310.3897/pharmacia.72.e149215149215Historical perspectives and emerging trends in fentanyl use: Part 2 – overdose and misuseStanila Stoeva-Grigorova0Maya Radeva-Ilieva1Nadezhda Karkkeselyan2Stela Dragomanova3Gabriela Kehayova4Simeonka Dimitrova5Maria Petrova6Snezha Zlateva7Petko Marinov8Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”The misuse of fentanyl and its analogs has significantly worsened the opioid crisis, leading to a sharp increase in overdose fatalities. Fentanyl overdose primarily causes severe respiratory depression, which can result in hypoxia, cardiac arrest, and death, often exacerbated by co-intoxication. Additionally, the opioid in question can induce chest wall rigidity, further complicating treatment procedures. Despite international control efforts, the drug’s high potency and low cost have fueled its widespread trafficking, including in counterfeit pills. While naloxone is the primary antidote, its effectiveness is limited, highlighting the need for stronger, long-acting treatments. Factors such as polypharmacy, prescription misuse, and environmental exposure – as well as the potential for fentanyl’s use as a chemical weapon – pose significant public safety risks. In conclusion, addressing the current wave of the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive approach, integrating treatment solutions, prevention, and harm reduction strategies.https://pharmacia.pensoft.net/article/149215/download/pdf/
spellingShingle Stanila Stoeva-Grigorova
Maya Radeva-Ilieva
Nadezhda Karkkeselyan
Stela Dragomanova
Gabriela Kehayova
Simeonka Dimitrova
Maria Petrova
Snezha Zlateva
Petko Marinov
Historical perspectives and emerging trends in fentanyl use: Part 2 – overdose and misuse
Pharmacia
title Historical perspectives and emerging trends in fentanyl use: Part 2 – overdose and misuse
title_full Historical perspectives and emerging trends in fentanyl use: Part 2 – overdose and misuse
title_fullStr Historical perspectives and emerging trends in fentanyl use: Part 2 – overdose and misuse
title_full_unstemmed Historical perspectives and emerging trends in fentanyl use: Part 2 – overdose and misuse
title_short Historical perspectives and emerging trends in fentanyl use: Part 2 – overdose and misuse
title_sort historical perspectives and emerging trends in fentanyl use part 2 overdose and misuse
url https://pharmacia.pensoft.net/article/149215/download/pdf/
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