County Public Health cautions against illegal Carfentanil

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Following the first confirmed carfentanil overdose death in Santa Clara County, San Benito County Health officials are warning local residents about the dangers of the powerful drug typically used to sedate large animals such as elephants.

On May 1, Santa Clara County issued a statement that its medical examiner had ruled a 39-year-old man’s death in April was that county’s first confirmed carfentanil (or carfentanyl) overdose. According to the press release, the synthetic opioid is 100 times more potent than fentanyl.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website states “Carfentanil was detected in 513 overdose deaths during January 2021–June 2024” nationwide.

San Benito County Public Health pharmacist Mary White said while there have been no confirmed cases of carfentanil use in San Benito County, it’s proximity to Santa Clara County has Public Health concerned. White said people get the illegal substance the same way they get fentanyl and other opioids-on the street or through the black market. The drug is often found in counterfeit drugs such as oxycodone or Xanax. 

White cautioned that “no substances bought outside of a pharmacy or from a doctor are safe no matter what.” 

She added that naloxone can be used to reverse the effects of the opioid but it might take more of it than for a fentanyl overdose. Naloxone is readily available in several locations in the county. 

Drugs.com lists the following facts regarding the drug:

• Both illegally-made fentanyl and carfentanil are extremely dangerous opioids that can result in a quick overdose and death when abused but carfentanil is more potent than fentanyl. 
• Carfentanil has been shown in animal studies to be 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine.
• Carfentanil has NO medical use in humans. It is an analog of fentanyl and is used as a tranquilizer in veterinary medicine for elephants and other large animals.
• These drugs can pose a significant threat to first responders and law enforcement personnel.

Will naloxone reverse a carfentanil overdose?

• Naloxone can be used to help reverse an overdose for carfentanil, but multiple doses of naloxone or even continuous infusions may be required to reverse the opioid action, if possible.
• First, give a dose of naloxone right away and then immediately call emergency medical services.
• Turn the person on their side to lessen the chances of choking. Stay with the person. Continue to administer a dose of naloxone every 2 to 3 minutes until the individual is  breathing on their own for at least 15 minutes or until emergency medical services arrive and take over.

What are the symptoms of a carfentanil overdose?

• Breathing that has slowed or stopped (which may lead to death)
• Extreme drowsiness
• Stupor
• Disorientation
• Pinpoint pupils
• Pale and clammy skin
• Vomiting

The onset of these symptoms usually occurs within seconds to minutes of opioid exposure.

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