Fentanyl abuse and its implication on health and society

Abstract

Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid developed in 1960, initially offered a breakthrough in pain management with its high potency and favorable safety profile. However, escalating cases of its misuse has resulted in alarming rates of overdose deaths, particularly in North America and Europe. This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted impact of fentanyl on various physiological systems. Tracing its timeline from a medical breakthrough to an illicit substance, the paper explores neurological, cardiovascular, renal, reproductive, respiratory, thermoregulatory, and immunological effects of fentanyl. The rise of more potent analogues further complicates the crisis. The neurological implications encompass altered cognition, neuropsychological effects, and neuro inflammation. The review also delves into the intricate connections between fentanyl and the immune system, introducing the concept of vaccination as a treatment strategy for overdose. The urgent need for a collaborative effort from the medical, legal, and public health sectors to address fentanyl's devastating consequences is emphasized, stressing the importance of a better understanding of its systemic effects for effective harm-reduction strategies and combating this escalating epidemic.