jeudi 2 juin 2016

Fentanyl: The Drug That Killed Prince

Fentanyl: The Drug That Killed Prince

Prince’s fans received another blow today upon release of his autopsy results, which revealed that the pop superstar had died of an overdose of Fentanyl.

Dubbed “heroin’s deadly cousin” by the New York Times, Fentanyl is a powerful opiate analgesic known to be up to 50 times more potent than morphine. Prince, 57, had been treated for a potential overdose about a week before his death, in an episode which caused his private jet to make an unscheduled landing in Moline, Illinois, due to a medical emergency.

The press release about the singer’s autopsy results came in a tweet, according to USA Today. The announcement said that the medical examiner would not be making further comment, as the Carver County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation into Prince’s death.

Officials are on the hunt for Prince’s supplier, and what prescriptions he had been given. The investigation is being assisted by the federal DEA and the U.S. Justice Department.

According to Romper.com, many sources say Prince was addicted to painkillers before his 112-pound body was found slumped in an elevator in his Paisley Park home in Carver County outside Minneapolis.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is a “powerful synthetic opiate analgesic similar to but more potent than morphine.”

“It is typically used to treat patients with severe pain, or to manage pain after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat people with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to opiates.”

According to KMTV, dealers cut it into other drugs to sell to unsuspecting buyers.

This tactic is an effective one, because Fentanyl is so addictive that a dose intended for a certain high one week, will require a larger dosage as soon as a few days later.

Like most drugs, Fentanyl goes by many other names. In its prescription form, it is known as Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze. Street names for the drug include Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, and Tango and Cash.

The drug is administered in many forms, according to Narconon.com.

“Time-release formulations for fentanyl provide strong pain relief over time. They come in two forms—a lollipop and a patch.

“Fentanyl also comes as a small piece of film that can be dissolved under the tongue and a pill meant to be lodged inside the cheek.

“In hospital settings, fentanyl can be injected. For the individual abusing the drug outside a hospital, this is highly dangerous, as the difference between a therapeutic dose and a deadly dose is very small.”

Even when it is prescribed by a doctor, side effects of Fenatyl can be severe. They include:

  • Dizziness and lightheadedness
  • Dry mouth
  • Retention of urine
  • Suppression of breathing
  • Severe constipation
  • Itching or hives
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Headache
  • Difficulty seeing
  • Depression
  • Hallucinations
  • Bad dreams
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Sweating
  • Shaking
  • Swollen extremities

Sadly, at the time of his death, Prince appeared to be reaching out for help with his addiction. Romper.com reports that he had an appointment with addiction specialist named Howard Kornfeld, scheduled for April 22.

There is help for addiction, Narconon.org says. “The Narconon drug and alcohol rehab program in some 45 locations around the world has developed a humane way of helping a person through withdrawal, and then taking them all the way to lasting sobriety.”

Those who would like more information can check out http://ift.tt/286H85w.

[Image via Northfoto/Shutterstock]

Fentanyl: The Drug That Killed Prince is an article from: The Inquisitr News

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