Fentanyl has made headlines for driving overdose deaths, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning of the rise of an even deadlier drug.

Last year, nearly 70% of all U.S. overdose deaths were attributed to illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs). One of those was carfentanil, an altered version of fentanyl that is said to be 100 times more potent, the CDC warned in a Dec. 5 alert.

Deaths from carfentanil rose by more than 700% in the past year, according to the same source — there were 29 deadly overdoses between January and June 2023, and 238 in that same time frame in 2024.

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This data came from the CDC’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS).

The numbers could actually be higher, as the 2024 data is preliminary and not all overdose deaths have been reported, the agency noted.

Since an outbreak of carfentanil-linked deaths in 2016 and 2016, the drug had “largely disappeared” until this recent reemergence, the CDC noted.

Based on the increase in fatal overdoses, the CDC is calling for “rigorous monitoring” of carfentanil and other opioids more potent than fentanyl.

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As with other illicit drugs, its “high profitability” likely drives its prevalence, according to Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

“Very small amounts can produce thousands of doses,” he told Fox News Digital.  

“Synthetic opioids like carfentanil are relatively easy to manufacture in illicit labs,” Tuell went on. “Since the drug is a synthetic, it is easier to produce — unlike heroin, which is dependent on a plant like opium.”

Why is carfentanil so dangerous?

Carfentanil is 10,000 more times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, Tuell confirmed.

“Even a small amount can be fatal, as it can cause respiratory failure,” he said.

Carfentanil can sometimes be in the form of “pressed pills” that resemble prescription medications, the expert said. (iStock)

One of the major concerns with carfentanil and fentanyl is that they are frequently mixed with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines, cocaine and opioids, which can lead to accidental overdoses, according to Tuell.

“Carfentanil can also resemble cocaine and heroin, so it blends right in with the other drugs,” he warned.  

“Even a small amount can be fatal, as it can cause respiratory failure.”

“Even a tiny amount can increase the potency of a drug mixture, leading to a stronger and longer-lasting high.”

Carfentanil often appeals to drug users who have a high tolerance to opioids because they seek a stronger substance, “making the drug attractive despite the risk,” Tuell noted.

How is the drug administered?

Carfentanil can be injected and is frequently mixed with other opioids or heroin, Tuell said. In a powder form, it can be inhaled.  

“Inhaling the drug can be quickly risky because it can enter the bloodstream, resulting in an overdose,” Tuell warned. “This can happen intentionally or accidentally, as the drug can become easily airborne.”

Carfentanil can be injected and is frequently mixed with other opioids or heroin, an addiction specialist warned. (iStock)

Carfentanil can sometimes be in the form of “pressed pills” that resemble prescription medications, the expert said.

“Carfentanil can be lethal at the 2-milligram range depending on the route of administration,” he cautioned.

What parents should know

“Children are now the generation of artificial intelligence and deepfakes, as illicit drugs are posing like regular prescription medications,” Tuell cautioned.

To help protect kids from the dangers of illicit drugs, the expert emphasized the importance of open communication and education.  

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“Educate your child about the dangers and risks of drug use, including synthetic opioids like carfentanil,” he advised.

Parents should provide monitoring and supervision of their children, be aware of their social circles and limit unsupervised online activities, Tuell recommended. 

Based on the increase in fatal overdoses, the CDC is calling for “rigorous monitoring” of carfentanil and other opioids more potent than fentanyl. (iStock)

“I also believe it is important that parents realize that 84% of individuals with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health issue,” he added. 

“Seeking out mental health services for your child could help address the underlying issues that may have led to a substance use disorder.”

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The CDC called for specific efforts in preventing deaths from illegally manufactured fentanyls, “such as maintaining and improving distribution of risk reduction tools, increasing access to and retention of treatment for substance use disorders, and preventing drug use initiation.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for comment.

December 9th, 2024
To Members of the United States Senate:
We, the undersigned Nobel Laureates, are writing to ask you to
oppose the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The proposal to place Mr. Kennedy in charge of the federal agencies
responsible for protecting the health of American citizens and for
conducting the medical research that benefits our country and the
rest of humanity has been widely criticized on multiple grounds. In
addition to his lack of credentials or relevant experience in
medicine, science, public health, or administration, Mr. Kennedy has
been an opponent of many health-protecting and life-saving
vaccines, such as those that prevent measles and polio; a critic of
the well-established positive effects of fluoridation of drinking
water; a promoter of conspiracy theories about remarkably
successful treatments for AIDS and other diseases; and a belligerent
critic of respected agencies (especially the Food and Drug
Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National
Institutes of Health). The leader of DHHS should continue to nurture
and improve— not threaten—these important and highly respected
institutions and their employees.
In view of his record, placing Mr. Kennedy in charge of DHHS would
put the public’s health in jeopardy and undermine America’s global
leadership in the health sciences, in both the public and commercial
sectors.

There are many methods of staying healthy during cold and flu season, including choosing certain foods.

In a Sunday appearance on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier offered some power foods that can help boost the immune system.

“It is certainly cold, flu and COVID season,” she said. “And we want to prevent illness, because once you already get infected, I’ll be honest, there are not a lot of things to relieve some of your cold and flu symptoms.”

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Here are a few immune boosters that can be added to your diet, according to Saphier.

1. Red bell pepper

One whole, raw, red bell pepper has more than twice the daily recommended dose of vitamin C, Saphier stated.

“Vitamin C is obviously great for our immune system,” she said.

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“If you grill it, if you boil it, it does reduce the vitamin C a little bit, but it’s still excellent, it has other nutrients in it.”

Saphier shared that she slices red bell peppers and serves them to her kids “almost every morning before school.”

2. Blueberries

Blueberries are “nature’s powerhouse,” Saphier said. (iStock)

Saphier described blueberries as a “superfood” and “nature’s powerhouse.”

“When it comes to all of your fruits and veggies, this has one of the highest amounts of jam-packed, antioxidant, low-calorie, low-sugar content,” she said.

“Grab a handful – it’s great for you.”

3. Citrus

The best way to reap the benefits of citrus is eating it raw, the doctor advised. (iStock)

Citrus foods like oranges and lemons provide a “high amount of vitamins,” according to Saphier.

The doctor warned that citrus does have higher sugar content, so people who are diabetic should be cautious about amounts.

“Especially if you get the pre-packaged, concentrated juice from the store — that has a lot of sugar on it, [so] you have to be careful,” she said.

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The best way to boost citrus intake is to eat it raw or add it to a vitamin-packed juice, according to Saphier.

“I like to make a green version … with spinach, celery, turmeric, ginger, lemon and some other stuff,” she listed. “It’s just jam-packed with vitamins.”

4. Garlic

Garlic is “one of the best things for your immune system,” according to Saphier. (iStock)

Although it may be surprising, garlic is “one of the best things for your immune system,” according to Saphier.

The doctor shared that she takes liquid garlic and combines it with other ingredients, like turmeric and ginger, in a juice for an extra immune boost.

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“If your body is as healthy as possible going into cold and flu season, it’s your best bet at staying healthy,” she said.

5. Walnuts

Saphier described how walnuts look like a “mini brain” and are great for brain health. (iStock)

While Saphier didn’t call out walnuts for immune support, she mentioned their benefits for brain and cognitive health.

“People say when you look at walnuts, they look like a little mini brain,” she said.

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“I keep these with me in my office at the hospital,” she added. “They’re really good for you, so obviously you want to keep your body healthy, but your brain healthy as well.”

Saphier explained that organic options are “always the way to go” to avoid exposure to pesticides, hormones and other additives, but they can be a little more expensive.

“If only we could get those prices down, so that they’re more affordable and accessible,” she added.