Research Day
TEN CASES OF VALERYL FENTANYL IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
Document Type
Abstract
Date
2021
Abstract
Introduction: Valeryl fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is rarely found in drug overdoses in the United States. Since it was put on temporarily Schedule I status in 2017, valeryl fentanyl cases in the USA have drastically decreased. Its recent reappearance in SouthWest Michigan indicates that valeryl fentanyl may be on the rise as an intended component of illicitly-made opioids and should be tested for, as little literature exists describing valeryl fentanyl abuse trends, etiology, and mortality rates.
Case Description: Ten cases of drug overdose involving valeryl fentanyl are described. Cases were deemed positive when valeryl fentanyl was detected in postmortem blood. These cases occurred between July 2018 and November 2019 in Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Calhoun, Ionia, and Ingham county. The cause of death in all but one case was toxic effect of drug(s). The ages of the deceased ranged from 18-55 years old. Valeryl fentanyl was often found along with 4ANPP, norfentanyl, fentanyl, and morphine.
Conclusion: While fentanyl and heroin are commonly found together, fentanyl is often misleadingly sold as, or mixed with, heroin, valeryl fentanyl is an uncommon compound in drug overdoses. The fact that almost all of the cases described here were also positive for norfentanyl, fentanyl, 4-ANPP, and morphine, may suggest that the valeryl fentanyl is coming from the same source and is likely being mixed with heroin. Laboratories need to test for valeryl fentanyl given the dearth of clinical information and because detection can help law enforcement monitor drug trafficking trends and determine if regulations are working.