Cychlorphine: A New Threat in the Drug Supply

Cychlorphine is a relatively new synthetic opioid that has begun appearing in the illicit drug supply across the United States. Early research suggests it may be significantly more potent than fentanyl, raising new concerns as communities continue to confront an increasingly unpredictable drug supply.

Cychlorphine is not just an emerging concern. It has already been identified in fatal overdose cases. The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education reported cychlorphine in blood specimens from 25 fatal overdoses, including 11 cases in which it was the only opioid identified. NMS Labs had also tentatively identified the substance in more than 100 toxicology cases.

The National Drug Early Warning System has reported additional deaths involving cychlorphine, and authorities have identified the substance in counterfeit pills. These findings demonstrate how quickly a new synthetic drug can enter communities before many families have even heard its name.

One of the greatest concerns surrounding cychlorphine is detection. Fentanyl test strips cannot detect cychlorphine, and routine hospital drug screens may also miss it. Specialized toxicology testing is needed to identify the substance.

This means a counterfeit pill could test negative for fentanyl and still contain a dangerous synthetic opioid.

Counterfeit pills are often made to look like legitimate prescription medications, making it nearly impossible to know what they contain by appearance alone. A negative fentanyl test should never be interpreted as proof that an illicit or counterfeit pill is safe.

For families, the message is increasingly important: a pill that did not come directly from a licensed pharmacy cannot be assumed to contain what it appears to contain.

As new substances emerge, prevention and awareness must evolve with them. MAPDA will continue working to keep families informed about emerging drug threats, counterfeit pills, and the changing illicit drug supply.

The threats may change, but our purpose remains the same: prevent the next tragedy and help save the next life.

Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) — Increase in Fatal Overdoses Linked to Novel Synthetic Opioid N-Propionitrile Chlorphine (Cychlorphine)
CFSRE report

American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) — Cychlorphine: An Emerging Opioid
Covers the limitations of fentanyl test strips and routine hospital drug screening for cychlorphine.
ACMT report

National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) — Reports cychlorphine in toxicology findings associated with deaths in Knox County, Tennessee.
NDEWS Weekly Briefing

San Francisco Police Department — Reports cychlorphine in connection with a fatal overdose investigation and its detection in counterfeit pills.
SFPD cychlorphine investigation