Nisha Pandey

US Teen's Death Sparks Warning Over Synthetic Drug Deadlier Than Fentanyl

The death of a 16-year-old <span>San Francisco</span> boy has sparked concerns about the arrival of <span>cychlorphine</span>, a <span>synthetic opioid</span> that experts describe as 10 times more potent than <span>fentanyl</span>.

<span>Dante Paul Lacourte</span> died at his home on April 7 after taking drugs that contained cychlorphine. His death was the first confirmed cychlorphine-related overdose reported in San Francisco. The drug had already been linked to dozens of deaths elsewhere in the US.

The case has led to four arrests till now. San Francisco police said they seized more than 20,000 counterfeit pills, along with firearms, during searches connected to the investigation into the teenager's death.

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ai-analysed-400000-reddit-posts-about-ozempic-and-mounjaro-and-found-2-unusual-side-effects-worth-noting-article-156151491" data-type="tilCustomLink">Cychlorphine</a> is a synthetic opioid that has crept up in the illicit drug supply in the last few years. It was first identified in the US in 2024 and belongs to a growing group of highly potent synthetic opioids.

The White House's Office of <span>National Drug Control Policy</span> warned in April that cychlorphine could be “up to ten times more potent than fentanyl” and linked it to 55 deaths across the US between 2025 and 2026. Tennessee has recorded the largest number of confirmed deaths so far.

Fentanyl is already notorious for being an extremely <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/cefepime-antibiotic-used-for-pneumonia-uti-linked-to-higher-death-risk-in-adults-article-156168923" data-type="tilCustomLink">powerful opioid</a>. Cychlorphine adds another layer of risk to an illicit drug supply that is already difficult to predict.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-fda-to-hold-psychedelic-drug-hearing-amid-trump-push-what-it-means-for-depression-ptsd-article-156157480" data-type="tilCustomLink">US FDA To Hold Psychedelic Drug Hearing Amid Trump Push: What It Means For Depression, PTSD</a>

<h2>Users May Not Realise It Is There</h2>

Cychlorphine can be mixed into other drugs or pressed into counterfeit <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/could-tylenol-taken-during-pregnancy-affect-girl-childs-future-reproductive-health-study-raises-concern-article-156125035" data-type="tilCustomLink">prescription pills</a>, meaning someone may believe they are taking a familiar medication when the tablet actually contains a much more powerful opioid.

This was one of the concerns highlighted in the San Francisco case. Police said counterfeit pills had been seized from earlier, unrelated investigations and subsequently tested positive for cychlorphine, suggesting the drug was already circulating through multiple sources.

Another problem with cychlorphine is detection. <span>Fentanyl test</span> strips do not detect cychlorphine, so a negative <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/mindfulness-over-medicine-meditation-could-cut-opioid-urges-by-50-article-151560018" data-type="tilCustomLink">fentanyl</a> test does not mean a drug is free from cychlorphine.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/rfk-jr-backed-wolverine-peptide-use-surges-why-are-people-taking-an-unapproved-drug-for-injury-recovery-article-156165458" data-type="tilCustomLink">RFK Jr-Backed ‘Wolverine’ Peptide Use Surges: Why Are People Taking An Unapproved Drug For Injury Recovery?</a>

Like other powerful opioids, cychlorphine can suppress the central nervous system and slow or stop breathing.

Its high potency means very small amounts can potentially produce profound opioid effects. 

Experts say the drug also increases the risk that a person could move rapidly from intoxication to life-threatening respiratory depression.

Naloxone, commonly known as <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/could-nitazenes-be-the-next-opioid-threat-pushing-europe-toward-a-public-health-crisis-article-152443350" data-type="tilCustomLink">Narcan</a>, can reverse opioid overdoses, but the response to these extremely potent synthetic opioids can be complicated.

<em>The New York Times </em>reported that multiple doses of <span>Narcan</span> may be needed to reverse cychlorphine's effects, while people responding to an overdose may have only one or two doses available.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fda-launches-expedited-ind-pilot-to-speed-up-drug-trials-article-156166425" data-type="tilCustomLink">US FDA Launches Expedited IND Pilot To Speed Up Drug Trials</a>

<h2>Officials Are Worried About Its Spread</h2>

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San Francisco health officials say the emergence of cychlorphine shows how quickly the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/whats-behind-the-decline-in-u-s-overdose-deaths-article-151099996" data-type="tilCustomLink">illicit drug supply</a> can change.

Daniel Tsai, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, said, “What we see now with cyclorphine, a new category of synthetic opioids potentially 10 times more potent than fentanyl, of course, it’s a great cause for concern.”

He also stressed that the safest way to avoid the risk is not to take counterfeit pills or illicit drugs. San Francisco is now working on wastewater surveillance that could help detect cychlorphine and other novel drugs before they are identified through an overdose death.

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The death of a 16-year-old San Francisco boy has sparked concerns about the arrival of cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid that experts describe as 10 times more potent than fentanyl.Dante Paul Lacourte died at his home on April 7 after taking drugs that contained cychlorphine. His death was the first confirmed cychlorphine-related overdose reported in San Francisco. The drug had already been linked to dozens of deaths elsewhere in the US.The case has led to four arrests till now. San Francisco police said they seized more than 20,000 counterfeit pills, along with firearms, during searches connected to the investigation into the teenager's death.What Is Cychlorphine?Cychlorphine is a synthetic opioid that has crept up in the illicit drug supply in the last few years. It was first identified in the US in 2024 and belongs to a growing group of highly potent synthetic opioids.The White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy warned in April that cychlorphine could be “up to ten times more potent than fentanyl” and linked it to 55 deaths across the US between 2025 and 2026. Tennessee has recorded the largest number of confirmed deaths so far.Fentanyl is already notorious for being an extremely powerful opioid. Cychlorphine adds another layer of risk to an illicit drug supply that is already difficult to predict.Also read: US FDA To Hold Psychedelic Drug Hearing Amid Trump Push: What It Means For Depression, PTSDUsers May Not Realise It Is ThereCychlorphine can be mixed into other drugs or pressed into counterfeit prescription pills, meaning someone may believe they are taking a familiar medication when the tablet actually contains a much more powerful opioid.This was one of the concerns highlighted in the San Francisco case. Police said counterfeit pills had been seized from earlier, unrelated investigations and subsequently tested positive for cychlorphine, suggesting the drug was already circulating through multiple sources.Another problem with cychlorphine is detection. Fentanyl test strips do not detect cychlorphine, so a negative fentanyl test does not mean a drug is free from cychlorphine.Also read: RFK Jr-Backed ‘Wolverine’ Peptide Use Surges: Why Are People Taking An Unapproved Drug For Injury Recovery?It Can Cause A Fatal OverdoseLike other powerful opioids, cychlorphine can suppress the central nervous system and slow or stop breathing.Its high potency means very small amounts can potentially produce profound opioid effects. Experts say the drug also increases the risk that a person could move rapidly from intoxication to life-threatening respiratory depression.Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, can reverse opioid overdoses, but the response to these extremely potent synthetic opioids can be complicated.The New York Times reported that multiple doses of Narcan may be needed to reverse cychlorphine's effects, while people responding to an overdose may have only one or two doses available.Also read: US FDA Launches Expedited IND Pilot To Speed Up Drug TrialsOfficials Are Worried About Its Spread   San Francisco health officials say the emergence of cychlorphine shows how quickly the illicit drug supply can change.Daniel Tsai, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, said, “What we see now with cyclorphine, a new category of synthetic opioids potentially 10 times more potent than fentanyl, of course, it’s a great cause for concern.”He also stressed that the safest way to avoid the risk is not to take counterfeit pills or illicit drugs. San Francisco is now working on wastewater surveillance that could help detect cychlorphine and other novel drugs before they are identified through an overdose death.

us teen's death sparks warning over synthetic drug deadlier than fentanyl

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