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Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

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Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
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  11. High Variation In Purity Of Consumer-level Illicit Fentanyl Samples In Los Angeles, 2023-2025

High Variation in Purity of Consumer-Level Illicit Fentanyl Samples in Los Angeles, 2023-2025

Chelsea L Shover1, Adam J Koncsol1, Morgan E Godvin1

  • 1Department of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California, Los Angeles, United States.

Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|July 16, 2025

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View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Illicit fentanyl purity varies greatly in consumer drugs, potentially explaining overdoses. Purity is lower in samples not expected to be fentanyl or in pill form.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Public Health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) purity variation is a suspected driver of overdose deaths.
  • Consumer-level data on IMF purity is scarce, hindering accurate overdose risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the purity of fentanyl and related compounds in consumer-level drug samples.
  • To investigate the relationship between drug type, form, and fentanyl purity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 353 drug samples from a community drug checking program in Los Angeles County (Q1 2023-Q2 2025).
  • Utilized Direct Analysis in Real Time-Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
  • Estimated composite fentanyl purity by summing fentanyl and fluorofentanyl mass percentages.

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Main Results:

  • Average fentanyl purity was 10.0% (SD 11.1%), with significant variation (0.1%-64.9%).
  • Samples expected to be fentanyl showed higher purity (10.9%) than those expected to be heroin (2.7%) or other drugs.
  • Powder samples had higher average purity (10.8%) compared to pills (1.4%) or tar (3.2%).

Conclusions:

  • High variability in consumer-level fentanyl purity may contribute to opioid overdoses.
  • Fentanyl concentration is lower in samples misrepresented as heroin, other drugs, or in pill form.