Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid pain reliever. Once only used as a prescription under medical supervision, fentanyl has become increasingly more common on the illicit drug market.
Drug traffickers often add illegally produced fentanyl to other drugs, allowing them to make more profit. Mixing fentanyl and other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, can give users a more intense and prolonged high–but it can also lead to deadly complications. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and a tiny amount can cause a lethal overdose. People who use illicit drugs may unknowingly ingest a life-threatening dose of fentanyl.
This article will explore the many slang terms for fentanyl, the drug’s effects, and how to seek treatment for fentanyl abuse and addiction. Reach out to the Mandala Healing Center specialists to explore our holistic treatment programs and find the support you need during recovery.
What Are Other Names for Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a potent and increasingly popular drug that is known by many other names.
Fentanyl brand names
Fentanyl has primarily been a prescription opioid painkiller used in medical settings. It is known by its brand names, which include:
- Duragesic–transdermal patches that contain fentanyl for topical use
- Sublimaze–IV or intramuscular fentanyl typically administered after surgery
- Actiq–lollipops containing fentanyl, used primarily for cancer patients
- Onsolis–dissolving strips containing fentanyl, used orally
- Fentora–a dissolvable tablet used by cancer patients who have developed tolerance to other prescription opioids
- Subsys–liquid fentanyl spray applied under the tongue
- Lazanda–a nasal spray containing fentanyl, typically used in cancer patients with severe pain
Fentanyl street names
While fentanyl should only be used in a medical setting under careful medical supervision, demand has grown and created a demand for the drug in the illegal market. Some fentanyl street names include:
- F
- Fent
- Fenty
- Fetty
- Freddy
- Fuf
- Opes
- TNT
- Tango and Cash
- Pharmacy
- Nil
- Nal
- Murder 8
- Lollipop
- Jackpot
- Heineken
- He-Man
- Great Bear
- Goodfella
- Friend
- Fire
- Dragon’s Breath
- Dance Fever
- Crazy One
Because many people associate fentanyl with Chinese poppy plants, some Fentanyl slang terms include:
- China Girl
- China Town
- China White
- Chinese Buffet
Some slang terms for fentanyl refer to the drug’s appearance. Fentanyl is available in many colors and may sometimes resemble other drugs. Some of these appearance-related slang terms for fentanyl include:
- Blue Diamond
- Blue Dolphin
- Blues
- China White
- Gray Stuff
- King Ivory
- Snowflake
- White Girl
- White Ladies
Drug traffickers often cut fentanyl into other illicit drugs. Some of the slang terms for these combinations include:
- Birria: Fentanyl mixed with heroin
- Chiva Loca: Fentanyl mixed with heroin
- Facebook: Fentanyl and heroin combined in pill form
- Dirfy Fentanyl: Cocaine and fentanyl mixture
- Takeover: Cocaine and fentanyl mixture
How Do People Use Fentanyl?
As a prescription, people may use fentanyl in several ways. A doctor may give a patient a shot of fentanyl, apply a fentanyl patch to the skin, or prescribe lozenges or lollipops containing the drug.
Synthetic fentanyl is produced in uncontrolled, unregulated laboratories. Illicit fentanyl is sold in powder, pills, nasal sprays, and other forms. Drug dealers may also mix fentanyl with other drugs, including:
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
A tiny amount of fentanyl can cause users to experience intense, long-lasting highs, which enables dealers to make more money. However, this practice can result in users taking lethal doses of fentanyl without realizing it and facing deadly overdoses of this potent opioid.
The Effects of Fentanyl
Similar to morphine, heroin, and other opioids, fentanyl binds to opioid receptors throughout a person’s brain in areas involved in pain control and emotions. In the short term, fentanyl users experience:
- Euphoria
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Sedation
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Unconsciousness
Over time, a person’s body may adapt to the presence of fentanyl and require more of the drug to get the desired effects. People must take higher and higher doses over time, which can lead to addiction and increases the risk of a life-threatening overdose.
If people who are addicted to fentanyl suddenly stop taking the drug, they are likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms that include:
- Muscle aches
- Bone pain
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chills and goosebumps
- Uncontrollable leg movements
- Intense cravings
It can be very challenging for people to stop using fentanyl on their own. People with fentanyl addiction must seek comprehensive treatment from an addiction treatment center to have a safe, complete detox and get the care they need to avoid relapse in the future.
Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl addiction treatment occurs in stages, beginning with a medically-supported detox program. During detox, people may take medications that help their body safely detox from opioids and manage their withdrawal symptoms.
After detox, people must continue treatment by participating in a treatment plan that addresses the physical, emotional, and behavioral elements of their addiction. Treatment often includes individual, group, and family therapy, mental health treatment, relapse prevention education, and holistic therapies.
Find Help Now
If you live with fentanyl addiction or know someone who does, contact the caring specialists at the Mandala Healing Center to explore your treatment options. Don’t risk your health and well-being by putting off treatment. The help you need is a phone call away. Call now to start working toward a healthier future.