Canberra's pill testing service has detected the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl for the first time. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue CanTEST analysed a brown sample and found it contained paracetamol, caffeine, heroin, 6-MAM and fentanyl.
Fentanyl, which can be about 100 times stronger than morphine, is prescribed legally in Australia for severe pain but can be illegally trafficked. "This is the first time fentanyl has been detected at CanTEST," a statement on social media said. "Fentanyl carries the risk of fatal overdose.
" Fentanyl can cause an opioid-overdose. Signs of an overdose include: lowered or loss of consciousness, snoring, tiny or pinpoint pupils, discoloured lips or nails, cold or clammy skin and choking, coughing or gurgling sounds. Fentanyl was detected in this brown sample submitted to CanTEST.
Picture supplied "Fentanyl can cause multiple overdoses over time and people who experience a fentanyl overdose require ongoing monitoring," the CanTEST statement said. "Naloxone CAN reverse a fentanyl overdose, but several doses may be required. Never use alone and always keep naloxone on hand.
" In the event of a suspected overdose, call 000. Fentanyl overdose deaths more than tripled in the United States b.