Fentanyl is a potent, synthetic opioid analgesic - excellent for controlling serious pain, but also with huge abuse potential. It is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.
Fentanyl is a drug that can be severely harmful, or even fatal, with death usually caused by respiratory failure.
Fentanyl-related substances are designed to be absorbed into the body by all means, including injection, oral ingestion, contact with mucous membranes, inhalation, and via transdermal transmission (through the skin). As such, accidental exposure by first responders is a real and potentially deadly danger.
The DEA has a Fentanyl Briefing Guide for First Responders here.
Narcan (Naloxone) may be one way of treating Fentanyl exposure. Does Narcan work on fentanyl since it is an opioid, but it also incredibly potent? While Narcan can work on fentanyl overdoses, these situations often happen extremely quickly, so it can be tough to act quickly enough.
Also, according to the CDC, multiple doses of naloxone may be required following a fentanyl overdose because of how potent it is in comparison to other opioids.
The Surgeon General recommends that more people should carry (and be trained in the use of) Narcan (Naloxone). I believe this is especially true for our first responders.
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