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Dangerous new synthetic opioid surfaces in Dallas-Fort Worth area


  The drug, U-47700, has resulted in the hospitalization of at least two North Texans, including one who is in an area Intensive Care Unit. U-47700 is a synthetic opioid that has been around since the 1970s but in recent months has gained popularity through Internet websites and forum discussions.
 
Overdose deaths have been reported in Europe and both Sweden and Finland have made U-47700 illegal.
 
Over the Internet the drug is usually sold as a powder or granules. Potential side effects, including overdose reactions, are similar to other opiates and include slow breathing and pinpoint pupils. Very high doses could lead to coma and eventually death.
 
In the U.S., advertisements for the drug can be found online with prices ranging from $65 to $200. U-47700 is reported to be 7.5 times more potent than morphine and health experts urge people to avoid this drug and any other recreational drug being sold online.
 
 In an emergency,  or if you have questions about a potential poisoning, call 1.800.222.1222.

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Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

Protect our kids, families and the environment by properly disposing of your unwanted and expired medicines.
        
        Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning and flushed/trashed medicines can end up polluting our waters.  
 
Over half of teens abusing medicines get them from a family member or friend, including the home medicine cabinet, and often without their knowledge.

        The recommendation for getting rid of those old, unwanted or expired drugs used to be flushing down the toilet or putting them down the sink. These recommendations were made specifically to prevent accidental ingestion and poisoning of children and pets.
        Studies over the past several years though have shown this might not be such a good idea. Measurable amounts of some drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, cardiac medications and others are showing up in our nation's waterways. Water treatment plants are unable to remove these compounds before they reach the environment. Throwing medications away with the trash may cause less pollution, but there is that risk that other people or animals may get hold of it. Privacy may also be a concern if containers have labels with names and other personal information.



Follow these recommendations to prevent accidental poisonings as well as lessen the environmental impact of these drugs on the environment:
  • If a medication disposal program is not available in your area, the unwanted or expired medicine may be thrown away in the trash by following these steps:
    • Liquids should be poured over paper towels, kitty litter, or coffee grounds and tightly wrapped in sealable or watertight containers or bags. 
    • Solids (pills, capsules, tablets) should be placed into a sealable or water tight container or bag and add a small amount of water to at least partly dissolve them. You might want to add an undesirable substance like coffee grounds or kitty litter so that they are less likely to be eaten.
    • Place the container inside a package such as a box that doesn't show what's inside.
    • Put the medication in the trash as close to pick up time as possible-do not place in recycling bins. 
    • Always refer to the printed material accompanying medication for specific instructions. 
 
For information about treatment of unintentional ingestion and overdose of medicine (or any other poisoning), call toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to your local Poison Center in Texas at 1-800-222-1222! 


Texas Poison Center Network | 333 Guadalupe St | Austin | TX | 78701