What you need to know
- Cychlorphine is an illicit opioid that’s about 10 times stronger than fentanyl.
- Naloxone, often sold as Narcan, can reverse an overdose from any opioid, including cychlorphine, though multiple doses may be needed.
- You can get free naloxone through local organizations or by mail.
In March, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy shared a post on X warning about cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid tied to overdose deaths in several states. Cychlorphine is one of several emerging synthetic opioids that are more potent than fentanyl and may be mixed into other illicit drugs.
Here’s what to know about cychlorphine and how naloxone can help reverse an overdose from it and other opioids.
What is cychlorphine?
Cychlorphine is an illicit opioid that is about 10 times stronger than fentanyl. It was first identified in the U.S. in 2024, and several states have reported cychlorphine-related deaths this year. Like fentanyl, cychlorphine may be mixed into other illicit drugs without a person’s knowledge, increasing the risk of overdose.
“The introduction of these analogs [substances designed with a similar chemical structure to another] into the supply without warning will catch people off guard, without any way of telling what’s in their bag,” Christopher Moraff, founder and program director of PA Groundhogs, an organization that analyzes Pennsylvania’s illicit drug supply through lab-based testing, tells Public Good News.
Do fentanyl test strips detect cychlorphine?
No. Fentanyl test strips can only detect fentanyl.“Currently, there is no test trip available to detect [cychlorphine],” Moraff explains. “The only way to expose [it] is through lab-based GC/MS testing [gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, a technique to identify components within a sample], which is what Groundhogs does.”
Is naloxone effective against cychlorphine?
Naloxone, often sold as Narcan, can reverse an overdose from any opioid, including potent opioids like cychlorphine and fentanyl, though multiple doses may be needed.
Call 911 and administer naloxone if someone shows overdose signs like:
- Shallow or slow breathing
- Small pupils
- Blue lips or nails
- Slurred speech
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- Limp body
- Cold, clammy skin
- Loss of consciousness
Stay with the person until help arrives. If overdose symptoms do not improve, give additional doses of naloxone every two to three minutes.
Anyone can use naloxone by following the step-by-step instructions printed on the package. To feel more prepared, you can learn how to use naloxone through the American Medical Association, or sign up for a free online training.
Where can I get naloxone?
Free naloxone may be available through organizations and health departments in your community. NEXT Distro also offers free naloxone via mail.
You can buy naloxone without a prescription at pharmacies, grocery and convenience stores, and other retailers. A two-dose pack costs around $50, but prices may vary.
This article was supported by Life Unites Us, a health campaign that receives funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Public Good News retains full editorial control over its reporting.