The CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale is warning the population of a new synthetic opioid 25 times more powerful than fentanyl, detected for the first time in the region this week.
Dr. Anne-Frédérique Lambert-Slythe, medical specialist in public health and responsible for the harm reduction file at the Public Health Directorate of the CIUSSS, met the media on Saturday morning to warn of the presence of protonitazepyne in counterfeit tablets of oxycodone, better known as oxy.
The green tablets that read “80” and “OP” look like the 80-milligram Oxycontin tablets that can be obtained by prescription. However, due to the protonitazepyne contained in these illegal tablets, consuming “a small amount can cause an overdose,” explained Dr. Lambert-Slythe.
“There have been no fatal or non-fatal overdoses associated with this tablet yet in the Capitale-Nationale region,” she said. On the other hand, it is certain that given the potency and that it is in a tablet of something else, the risk of overdose is very high for people who consume this tablet. »
According to the doctor, this substance was detected for the first time in the Montreal region in the summer of 2023. Protonitazepyne is worrying, because as it is more powerful, it is necessary to administer several doses of naloxone, the antidote. to opioid overdoses, to reverse an overdose triggered by this drug.
Dr. Lambert-Slythe said it is not dangerous to administer multiple doses of naloxone.
“When in doubt, giving naloxone there is no risk, no side effects of giving it,” she said, saying that in the event of an overdose, you should call the services in addition to administering naloxone to the affected person, as they will require further care.
The presence of this synthetic drug on the streets also worries public health since it cannot be detected by the fentanyl detection strips that are distributed in community organizations, a laboratory analysis being instead necessary.
The Public Health Department of the Capitale-Nationale recommends not consuming this tablet. However, if a person decides to do so, several actions can be taken, argued Dr. Lambert-Slythe.
First, the person can go to a supervised consumption service or a substance testing service, which even if it cannot detect the substance, can give advice to the drug user.
The consumer must also have doses of naloxone on them, and consume in the presence of other people who also have doses of naloxone, and who could help them in the event of an overdose. Finally, the person should only consume this drug in small doses, and not consume several different substances at the same time, which could exacerbate the risk of overdose, indicated the doctor.