HOW DOES FENTANYL KILL?
A person who overdoses on fentanyl becomes groggy and sleepy and may quickly lose consciousness. The drug affects the part of the brain that controls breathing, so the person’s breathing will slow down and become difficult. They may begin to snore and make gurgling sounds, until they stop breathing altogether1.
Fentanyl can also freeze the muscles of the chest, which also stops breathing. This physical response can happen immediately after ingestion of the drug.2
“I was literally flatlined, dead in my mother’s living room at my mom’s feet in front of my sister. And I never wanted to be in that situation.” —Kyle
SYMPTOMS OF FENTANYL OVERDOSE
Since even small doses of fentanyl can be fatal, recognizing the signs of an overdose can save a life.3
Here are some symptoms of a fentanyl-related overdose:
- Deep sedation
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Respiratory arrest
- Blue nails and lips
- Gasping, gurgling or snoring
- Unresponsive or unconscious
- Cold and clammy skin
REFERENCES
- Fentanyl Facts, Overdose Signs to Look For and How You Can Help Save a Life, UC Davis Health, January 11, 2023
- United States Sentencing Commission, Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues: Federal Trends and Trafficking Patterns report, published January 25, 2021. Authors: Kristin M. Tennyson, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Office of Research and Data; Charles S. Ray, J.D., Assistant General Counsel; and Kevin T. Maass, M.A., Research Associate
- Fentanyl Factsheet, United States Drug Enforcement Administration
