3-Phenylpropanoylfentanyl (β'-phenylfentanyl) is an

opioid Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects. Medically they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia. Other medical uses include suppression of diarrhea, replacement therapy for opioid use ...

analgesic that is an

analog Analog or analogue may refer to: Computing and electronics * Analog signal, in which information is encoded in a continuous variable ** Analog device, an apparatus that operates on analog signals *** Analog electronics, circuits which use analog ...

fentanyl Fentanyl, also spelled fentanil, is a very potent synthetic opioid used as a pain medication. Together with other drugs, fentanyl is used for anesthesia. It is also used illicitly as a recreational drug, sometimes mixed with heroin, cocain ...

, which was invented in 1981, and has been sold as a

designer drug A designer drug is a structural or functional analog of a controlled substance that has been designed to mimic the pharmacological effects of the original drug, while avoiding classification as illegal and/or detection in standard drug tests. D ...

, first identified in March 2017 in Sweden.

Side effects

Side effects of

analogs are similar to those of fentanyl itself, which include

itching Itch (also known as pruritus) is a Wikt:sensation, sensation that causes the desire or reflex to scratch. Itch has resisted many attempts to be classified as any one type of Sensory system, sensory experience. Itch has many similarities to pain, ...

nausea Nausea is a diffuse sensation of unease and discomfort, sometimes perceived as an urge to vomit. While not painful, it can be a debilitating symptom if prolonged and has been described as placing discomfort on the chest, abdomen, or back of the ...

and potentially serious respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. Fentanyl analogs have killed hundreds of people throughout Europe and the former Soviet republics since the most recent resurgence in use began in Estonia in the early 2000s, and novel derivatives continue to appear. A new wave of fentanyl analogues and associated deaths began in around 2014 in the US, and have continued to grow in prevalence. Since 2016 these drugs have been responsible for hundreds of overdose deaths every week.

Legal status

3-Phenylpropanoylfentanyl was banned in Finland in September 2017, and in Sweden in October 2017. It was also banned in Lithuania in 2017. Banned in United States on April 27, 2021 (schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Phenylpropanoylfentanyl, 3- Anilides Designer drugs Mu-opioid receptor agonists Piperidines Synthetic opioids

Side effects

Legal status

See also

References