Public‑health officials in Hamilton County, Ohio, are sounding the alarm on a newly identified synthetic opioid called cychlorphine. Early drug‑testing by the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition detected the substance in limited samples, often combined with fentanyl, a drug already known for its lethal potency.
What is cychlorphine?
Cychlorphine belongs to a newer class of synthetic opioids known as orphines. According to Dr. Mike Kalfas, an addiction specialist with St. Elizabeth Physicians, the drug can be “up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.” Because of that potency, a single dose can cause rapid respiratory depression and death.
Local impact and concerns
While the compound has not yet been found on college campuses in Greater Cincinnati, officials fear that students could encounter it unknowingly in counterfeit pills or other street drugs. University of Cincinnati student Norah Dressing called the reports “super concerning” and expressed worry about overdoses on campus.
Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan told WLWT that the coalition first identified cychlorphine about a year ago through routine drug testing. He emphasized that any pill not obtained from a licensed pharmacy should be considered potentially deadly, as counterfeit products may contain cychlorphine, fentanyl, or other powerful substances.
Related incidents
The warning follows the recent deaths of two University of Mississippi students whose residence‑hall rooms were found with packaged kratom. Although kratom is not an opioid, doctors note that at high doses it can produce opioid‑like effects, including respiratory depression.
Safety recommendations
Officials urge the public to keep naloxone (brand name Narcan) on hand, as the drug’s strength may require multiple doses to reverse an overdose. Anyone who suspects an overdose should administer naloxone, call 911 immediately, and stay with the person until emergency responders arrive.
State‑wide alerts
The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security issued its own warning in February, urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid unknown substances. Both states are coordinating with law‑enforcement agencies to track the spread of cychlorphine and to educate the community about the dangers of counterfeit pills.
How to protect yourself and your family
- Only use medications prescribed by a licensed health professional.
- Never purchase pills from unverified sources, including online marketplaces.
- Keep naloxone accessible in homes where opioid use is a risk.
- Educate teens and young adults about the signs of opioid overdose, such as slowed breathing and loss of consciousness.
- Report any suspicious pills or drug activity to local law‑enforcement.
By staying informed and prepared, families and communities can help curb the spread of this dangerous new opioid and protect vulnerable residents from accidental overdose.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
