Designer drugs from the group of synthetic opioid
Synthetic opioids are a relatively new class of designer drugs. Most agents in this group belong to fentanyl derivatives. In the 70-80s of the 20th century there were reports of illegal trafficking of such substances as a-methylfentanyl, 3-methylfentanyl, acetylphenyl etc. In the future this list only grew. It included not only pharmacological agents (fentanyl, sufentanil, remifentanil, tramadol, buprenorphine etc.), but also banned substances butyrylfentanyl, acryloylfentanyl, furanylfentanyl etc. In recent years, the illegal distribution of synthetic opioids has been accompanied by numerous lethal poisonings. Synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, far exceed morphine, heroin and methadone in biological activity and toxicity, indicating a risk of overdose.