New opioid cychlorphine linked to first LA County overdose death

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 19:02 · Archive

A synthetic opioid called cychlorphine, believed to be significantly stronger than fentanyl, has been linked to a fatal overdose in Los Angeles County.

A synthetic opioid called cychlorphine has been linked to a fatal overdose in Los Angeles County in February, prompting urgent warnings from public health officials. The drug is believed to be substantially more powerful than fentanyl and can cause severe respiratory depression—a potentially fatal condition in which breathing becomes dangerously slow or stops—even in extremely small quantities. The New York Post states the drug is ten times more powerful than fentanyl.

Cychlorphine is particularly dangerous because standard fentanyl testing strips cannot detect it, meaning people could unknowingly consume the opioid. The drug has been found in multiple forms including powders, counterfeit prescription pills, liquids and rock-like crystals, and may be mixed into other illicit substances without a person's knowledge. The New York Post reports that cychlorphine has been known in the US drug supply since 2024 and has been detected in 19 states. In April, San Francisco health officials tied a fatal overdose to cychlorphine.

Health officials urge people not to use drugs alone, to avoid mixing drugs, and to carry naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Combining cychlorphine with alcohol, prescription opioids, sedatives or other drugs increases overdose risk. The New York Post reports the DEA classified cychlorphine as a Schedule I drug in August 2026.

How it is being reported

• Urgent warning as super-drug 10 times more powerful than fentanyl claims first LA victimOfficials said a fatality in February has been tied to the drug cychlorphine, a powerful synthetic opioid.New York Post · 17 Oct, 18:51
• Deadly new opioid stronger than fentanyl kills in Los Angeles — and standard drug tests can’t detect itThe drug, known as cychlorphine, can stop a person from breathing even in extremely small quantities and may be lurking undetected in illegal drugs, authorities warned ThursdayIndependent World · 16 Oct, 15:29

In this story: Los Angeles County · Los Angeles County Department of Public Health · San Francisco · DEA

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