Acetyl Fentanyl Overdose Fatalities — Rhode Island, March–May 2013

Details

• Journal Article:
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• Personal Author:
  Ogilvie, Laurie ; Stanley, Christina ; Lewis, Lauren ; Boyd, Molly ; Lozier, Matthew
• Description:
  In May 2013, the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories noticed an unusual pattern of toxicology results among 10 overdose deaths of suspected illicit drug users that had occurred during March 7-April 11, 2013. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for fentanyl in blood was positive for fentanyl in all 10 cases, but confirmatory gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) did not detect fentanyl. The mass spectrum was instead consistent with acetyl fentanyl, a fentanyl analog. Acetyl fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has not been documented in illicit drug use or overdose deaths, and is not available as a prescription drug anywhere. Animal studies suggest that acetyl fentanyl is up to five times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.
• Subjects:
  Adult Drug Overdose Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Female Fentanyl Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Humans Male Middle Aged Notes From The Field Reproducibility Of Results Street Drugs Substance Abuse Detection Young Adult

  More +
• Source:
  MMWR Morbidity Mortal Weekly Rep. 2013; 62(34):703-704.
• Series:
  Weekly Report: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• ISSN:
  0149-2195 (print) ; 1545-861X (digital)
• Pubmed ID:
  23985500
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC4604997
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Rhode Island
• Pages in Document:
  2 pdf pages
• Volume:
  62
• Issue:
  34
• Collection(s):
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:15c1e48068555f3038a54a50feeed1c7cff3705f6749f5feb26da615689629ec6e772c374cb75d49899426512387bde8cb34ea44b49bdc057873b05a18fe62f6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/54695/cdc_54695_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 117.99 KB ]