Fentanyl

Saving Lives in Texas: The Facts on Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin. Accidental fentanyl overdose deaths (also referred to as poisonings) are on the rise in Texas. Keep yourself, your loved ones and your community safe by understanding the dangers of fentanyl and knowing how to reverse an overdose. Play the video to watch Becky Stewart share her story about the death of her 19-year-old son, Cameron, from fentanyl poisoning.

About Fentanyl

Fentanyl is safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor to treat severe pain. However, illegally manufactured fentanyl is often added to counterfeit (fake) pills and other substances with or without a person's knowledge, including:

Counterfeit (fake) pills made to look like pills that come from a pharmacy, such as:

Oxycodone
Vicodin
Percocet
Xanax
Adderall

Other illegal substances, such as:

Heroin
Cocaine
Methamphetamine MDMA (also known as “ecstasy” or “Molly”)

The overdose crisis is harming Texas youth at an alarming rate. Teenagers and young adults can buy illegal substances and counterfeit pills through social media — and many may be mixed with potentially fatal doses of fentanyl.

Even small amounts of fentanyl, equivalent to a few grains of sand, can be deadly. That means that any pill could be the one that causes an overdose. Remember, one pill kills.

Naloxone nasal spray

Protect Yourself, Your Family and Your Fellow Texans from the Dangers of Fentanyl

Accidental fentanyl overdoses are life-threatening but preventable. Here are some ways to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from a fentanyl overdose.

Talk about fentanyl

Make sure your child understands the risks of fentanyl and how even one pill can result in an accidental overdose. If you're concerned about a loved one who uses substances, have a calm, direct conversation and listen without judgment. Work together to make a plan to stay safe.

Only take pills prescribed to you

If it didn't come from your doctor or pharmacist, you can't be sure that it's safe.

Carry naloxone

Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including fentanyl, heroin and prescription opioid medications. If someone’s breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose, naloxone will quickly restore normal breathing. Naloxone has no effect on someone who doesn’t have opioids in their system, so it's always best to use it if you think someone may be experiencing an overdose. Over-the-counter naloxone is available for purchase without a prescription in many Texas pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and online.

How to Respond to a Fentanyl Overdose

Learning how to recognize the signs of an overdose and respond effectively can save a life.

Signs of an overdose:

Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils.”
Face is extremely pale or feels clammy to the touch.
Body goes limp.
Fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color.
Vomiting or making gurgling noises.
Cannot be awakened or unable to speak.
Breathing or heartbeat slows or stops.
For people with lighter skin, the skin may turn blue or purple. For people with darker skin, the skin may turn gray or ashen.

How to save a life:

Call 911 right away.
Try to wake the person up.
Tilt the person’s head back and give naloxone, if available.
Give naloxone, if available.
Begin rescue breathing or CPR.
Turn the person on their side to prevent choking.
Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.