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What Is Cychlorphine? Synthetic Opioid 10 Times Stronger than Fentanyl Popping up in Multiple States
Officials say the opioid is 10 times stronger than fentanyl and can require multiple naloxone doses to reverse overdoses.
- Knox County officials reported that cychlorphine, a powerful synthetic opioid, has been linked to approximately 50 suspected overdose deaths over the last year, with fatalities rising rapidly in recent months.
- Officials with the Knox County Regional Forensic Center believe the drug originated in China in 2024 before spreading through Europe and reaching the United States; it is estimated to be 10 times more potent than fentanyl.
- Dr. Rachel Wirginis, an addiction medicine specialist at Oklahoma State University, noted that "fentanyl test strips don't detect anything that's not fentanyl," and overdoses may require multiple doses of Narcan to reverse.
- Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford reported discovering cychlorphine during a South Carolina investigation, noting her agency was the only one in the state with a positive result as the drug spreads to multiple states.
- Knox County Regional Forensic Chief Administrative Officer Chris Thomas said the agency's advanced surveillance capabilities play a critical role in alerting public health leaders to new threats; the lab identified 23 new drugs less than five months into 2026.
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What is cychlorphine? Synthetic opioid 10 times stronger than fentanyl popping up in multiple states
A synthetic opioid believed to be 10 times stronger than fentanyl is on the rise in multiple states. Here's what to know about cychlorphine. (AP photo)
·Spokane, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution92% Center
Bias Distribution
- 92% of the sources are Center
92% Center
C 92%
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