Powerful synthetic opioid cychlorphine linked to dozens of US deaths

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 11:20 · Archive

Cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid reportedly up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl, has been linked to at least 55 deaths across the United States.

A synthetic opioid called cychlorphine has been linked to at least 55 deaths across the United States, according to the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy. Tennessee was an early hotspot, with the state's health department reporting more than 30 fatal overdoses associated with cychlorphine since October 2025. Fatal overdoses have also been reported in Illinois, California and Oklahoma.

Cychlorphine is reportedly up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warned that 'cychlorphine is particularly dangerous due to its strength, where a very small amount can cause someone to stop breathing'. The drug is a novel, unregulated synthetic opioid that activates the same receptors as fentanyl, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Cychlorphine is not approved for medical use and has been detected in illicit drugs and counterfeit pills. The emergence of such powerful synthetics is part of a broader transformation of America's drug landscape, with dealers continuing to develop new substances as authorities attempt to tackle the opioid crisis.

How it is being reported

• ‘Super-drug’ 10 times stronger than fentanyl linked to deaths across multiple statesCychlorphine, a synthetic opioid reportedly up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl, has been linked to at least 55 deaths across the U.S.Fox News · 20 Oct, 11:00
• US Church on frontline of battle against drug known as 'tranq'Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are more powerful and in plentiful supply, and they have transformed the drugs landscape.BBC News · 19 Oct, 22:05

In this story: Tennessee · United States · Illinois · California · Oklahoma · Drug Enforcement Administration · White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

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