PHOENIX (May 22, 2025) -- A recent drug seizure in Pima County uncovered counterfeit pills that resemble oxycodone, but tested positive for carfentanil, a synthetic opioid up to 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl.
Carfentanil is not approved for use in humans; veterinarians generally use it to anesthetize large animals like elephants for surgery or medical treatment.
In 2024, Arizona had at least 16 fatalities with measurable levels of carfentanil. The two Arizona poison centers warn that the strength of carfentanil could lead to an increase in over-dose related deaths.
“Carfentanil is an imminent threat to the community, along with the already profound fentanyl infiltration in nearly all illicit drugs,” said Maureen Roland, director of the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center in Phoenix. “Even among opioid-tolerant users, we want to warn the community on the strength and dangers of this newer opioid in our state.”
The Banner Poison Center calls for more education on the risks of illicit drug use, wider access to naloxone, and expanded harm reduction efforts – including prevention and treatment for substance abuse disorder.
“We know from CDC data that carfentanil deaths have sharply risen over the last two years, especially in the western part of the U.S., so extreme caution is important now more than ever,” said Steve Dudley, PharmD, director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center in Tucson. “There have been reports of other drugs such as counterfeit Norco and Xanax being contaminated with fentanyl and fentanyl-related compounds, so we want our community to remain especially vigilant of carfentanil.”
The public should exercise extreme caution and take the following action if exposed:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 right away.
- Monitor for signs of opioid overdose. These include unresponsive to touch, shallow or stopped breathing, unusual snoring/gurgling sounds, blue or grey lips or fingertips, pinpoint pupils.
- Administer naloxone. The opioid overdose antidote can be used to reverse the effects of carfentanil, fentanyl, or other opioids, although multiple doses of naloxone may be required. Administer a dose every 2-3 minutes to counter the effects.
Health care professionals are urged to call the poison control centers for treatment advice and to report overdoses.
The Arizona Opioid Assistance and Referral Line is managed by the two centers in Arizona and can provide free assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week for both the public and health care professionals at 888-688-4222.
Call 800-222-1222 around the clock, 365 days a year, with questions regarding this or any other poison, drug, or chemical exposure.
About Banner Poison and Drug Information Center
Banner Poison and Drug Information Center is a phone call away and can be reached at 800-222-12222. Part of nonprofit Banner Health, the center provides a free, 24-hour emergency telephone service for both residents and medical professionals of Maricopa County. Assistance is available in more than 150 languages. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/poisoncenter.
For further information contact us at: [email protected]