# Fatal Fentanyl? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 19, 2025, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539 "2025-02-19T20:49:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DtypeJag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/1 "2025-02-19T20:49:57Z")
We keep hearing about all these people dying after unwittingly taking a lethal amount of fentynal. As I understand it, pill makers are putting fentynal in pills that are sold to unsuspecting customers who think they are buying sleeping pills, opiods, and various other party drugs. My question is why would they do this? What sense does it make to kill your customers or scare them off your product? Why wouldn’t they say there is fentynal in a pill and how much? What am I missing here? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/2 "2025-02-19T20:54:43Z")
They make fake cocaine with fentanyl because it’s cheaper. If made correctly, people still get high and relatively no big deal. If it’s a bit too strong or you get a bad lump, you better hope there’s narcan nearby ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/3 "2025-02-19T20:57:00Z")
They do it because it’s cheap. They can buy legit pills (opioids or benzos) crush them up, add some fentynal and filler and press them into new pills. I don’t know what the ratio is, but the cheap fentynal, allows them to make more than they started with. What I’ve never understood is why they add it to cocaine. If you get some Vicodin or Valium with fentynal mixed in, you probably won’t notice (assuming it’s a recreational, not fatal, amount). If you get cocaine with fentynal mixed in, you’re going to notice. It would be like finding out Starbucks ran out of espresso so they spiked your drink with codeine cough syrup instead. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/4 "2025-02-19T20:57:12Z")
Fentanyl is so potent a very small dose has the same effect as a much larger dose of a similar opiod. See the image below showing a fatal dose of heroin vs. fentanyl. This gives fentanyl much better “bang for the buck”, and drug dealers are always looking to maximize profits. Unfortunately manufacturers of illicit drugs are not known for their exacting manufacturing methods, so it’s very easy to underestimate the dosage and accidentally kill off repeat business. [![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Heroin-Fentanyl-vials-NHSPFL-768x432.jpg) ](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Heroin-Fentanyl-vials-NHSPFL-768x432.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/5 "2025-02-19T21:01:05Z")
> [@solost](#): > > This gives fentanyl much better “bang for the buck”, and drug dealers are always looking to maximize profits. Unfortunately manufacturers of illicit drugs are not known for their exacting manufacturing methods, so it’s very easy to underestimate the dosage and accidentally kill off repeat business. A lethal does of fentynal is [around 2 milligrams](https://www.addictionresource.net/lethal-doses/fentanyl/), which is just a few grains of table salt. Even if is cut in correct proportion into a batch of heroin or other opioid, it would take just a slightly higher amount to pose a lethal risk, which is especially problematic for chronic opioid users who have to keep updating their dose to get the desired effect. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/6 "2025-02-19T21:04:07Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Fentanyl is so potent a very small dose has the same effect as a much larger dose of a similar opiod. Fentanyl is measured in micrograms, opioids are measured in milligrams. 1,000 micrograms (μg) is equal to 1 milligram (mg)! ---
**Author:** ![DtypeJag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/7 "2025-02-19T21:07:29Z")
To expand on this a bit - take a person who uses say valium and has taken 2-4 at a time. They are unknowingly sold valium w/fentynal and wake up dead. It seems these pill makers are cutting their own throats. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/8 "2025-02-19T21:10:12Z")
You said this in the OP and it’s been explained to you in multiple different ways. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/9 "2025-02-19T21:20:04Z")
Why did cigarette-makers make their products more lethal and so addictive that people choke their ‘coffin nails’ down by the carton-full? Because there was a virtually endless number of new customers regardless of how it is adulterated. The wisdom of Stringer Bell: [“This shit right here, Dee? It’s forever.”](https://youtu.be/_4HD1HgfKB4?si=f80dNBVjwDv5uNCC) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/10 "2025-02-19T21:26:08Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > What I’ve never understood is why they add it to cocaine They certainly do. I’ve been to multiple overdose calls where the person thought they were doing coke but OD’d on fentanyl. Surprisingly pushers often use unethical business practices. They know quality control isn’t great so as long as the customer feels something they won’t complain that it’s fake. That’s all that is needed for them to sell. ---
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/11 "2025-02-19T21:29:48Z")
Cocaine and methamphetamine being cut with fentanyl is an urban legend. It doesn’t really happen, for the reason that **Joey\_P** stated; that is, stimulant users who start nodding after having a hit of their drug of choice are apt to notice that their dose is having the opposite effect of what they expected. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/12 "2025-02-19T21:29:58Z")
Or even better yet, using carfentanil, which is a large-animal tranquilizer dosed in MICROgram quantities? The reason some dealers spike their drugs with fentanyl is because the person gets an extra buzz, if you will, and if they survive it, they will want to come back for more. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/13 "2025-02-19T21:30:44Z")
I think it’s also worth considering that the supply chain for illicit drugs isn’t wholly composed of MBAs who consider LTV (lifetime value) of their customer base, or make long-term plans of any kind. Neither do they all employ qualified chemists in their production facilities. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/14 "2025-02-19T21:36:52Z")
> [@El\_DeLuxo](#): > > Cocaine and methamphetamine being cut with fentanyl is an urban legend. It is? > **[Prevalence of fentanyl in methamphetamine and cocaine samples collected by...](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871623012231)** > > Overdose deaths involving stimulants and opioids simultaneously have raised the specter of widespread contamination of the stimulant supply with fenta… > **[Overdose deaths from fentanyl laced stimulants have risen 50-fold since 2010](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/overdose-deaths-fentanyl-laced-stimulants-have-risen-50-fold)** > > The proportion of US overdose deaths involving both fentanyl and stimulants has increased more than 50-fold since 2010, from 0.6% (235 deaths) in 2010 to 32.3% (34,429 deaths) in 2021. This rise in fentanyl/stimulant fatalities constitutes the... [https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/09/25/man-who-sold-fentanyl-laced-cocaine-overdose-victim-sentenced-8-years](https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/09/25/man-who-sold-fentanyl-laced-cocaine-overdose-victim-sentenced-8-years) [https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2018-07/BUL-039-18.pdf](https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2018-07/BUL-039-18.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/15 "2025-02-19T21:38:59Z")
The intent is not to cause fatal overdoses. The intent is to produce a counterfeit opioid with the effect of say an oxycodone pill but at a higher profit margin, by making a pill with X micrograms of fentynal rather than Y grams of oxy. The difficulty is ensuring that every pill has the correct amount of fentynal, which is difficult without pretty advanced equipment, manufacturing techniques, and quality control. I’m not even sure it is possible at all, since there is no tablet for of fentynal for clinical use - delivery (other than IV) is via slow methods like transdermal patches or sunlingual lozenges. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/16 "2025-02-19T21:40:37Z")
> [@DtypeJag](#): > > It seems these pill makers are cutting their own throats. I don’t think the number of OD deaths is lowering demand. At all. BTW, it is fentanyl. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/17 "2025-02-19T21:47:47Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I don’t think the number of OD deaths is lowering demand. At all. Of course not. I don’t understand this discussion at all, this isn’t a problem with legitimate regulated pharmaceutical companies. Illegal drug makers never care about the customers. They’ll be separated from the customers by several layers of mid-level criminals and they’re doing this because the demand is so high. Users dying hasn’t slowed down that demand in the least so far. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/18 "2025-02-19T21:59:54Z")
In this country, one political party blames the other for fentanyl deaths, that the one party is “killing our children” with the 40 bajilliontons of illicit fentanyl allowed across the border. But it isn’t being cut into your benadryl or your Tylenol, It’s going in illegal oxy and cocaine and etc. Your kids shouldn’t be doing illegal drugs, and they won’t be ODing. And logically, the drug dealers shouldn’t be killing their own customers. but they aren’t logical, they’re crooks. In ye olde days they cut their heroin with baby formula. Now, who knows what. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/19 "2025-02-19T22:05:11Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Your kids shouldn’t be doing illegal drugs, and they won’t be ODing. Have you heard of Purdue Pharma? They had a bit to do with this problem. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539/20 "2025-02-19T22:07:21Z")
> [@El\_DeLuxo](#): > > Cocaine and methamphetamine being cut with fentanyl is an urban legend. I personally know people who thought they were doing coke and it had fentanyl in it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539.md?page=2)