MEDICAL ADVISORY: Carfentanil Alert

Issued by:  Gayane Hovhannisyan, MD, MPH, PhD, FRCPC, Associate Medical Officer of Health (Acting)

Background

• Carfentanil is a synthetic fentanyl analogue, about 100 times more powerful than fentanyl
• Carfentanil use is associated with increased risk of overdose and death compared with use of other opioids
• Recent data suggests an increase of Carfentanil presence across many regions in Ontario
• Carfentanil directly contributed to 142 deaths between January 1, 2019 - April 29, 2019 in Ontario, which is 50% more than the total number of deaths attributable to Carfentanil in 2018
• Our most recent Niagara data shows that Carfentanil was identified in 12 out of 142 opioid-related deaths from April 1, 2017 – December 31, 2018

Key Messages for Patients

• Do not use alone
• Do a test dose first
• Do not use opioids with alcohol or other drugs
• When using with others, do not use at the same time
• Access opioid treatments (e.g., Suboxone or Methadone)
• Carry Naloxone: Get FREE naloxone kits (More than one dose may be needed if Carfentanil is suspected)
• Call 911 for every overdose
• CPR; push hard, push fast

Resources

• Opioid overdose and naloxone use in Niagara
• Public Health Ontario Interactive Opioid Tool allows users to explore the most recent opioid-related morbidity and mortality data including emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths. Results can be viewed by public health unit, local health integration network, age, sex, and in some cases, drug type.

Please report all suspect and confirmed cases to Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services, Infectious Disease program immediately at 1-888-505-6074 or 905-688-8248 ext. 7330, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., after hours 905-984-3690.