EU warns Certain nasal sprays are also deadly

Furanyl-Fentanyl: EU warns against dangerous chemical in nasal spray
Nasal sprays are usually used for the local treatment of upper respiratory diseases. However, some of the sprays also contain a chemical that is abused as a psychoactive drug. The EU only warns about the dangerous substance. There have already been over 20 deaths related to this substance.

Nasal sprays used as a drug
Many nasal sprays have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and are mainly used for the local treatment of upper respiratory tract disorders such as sinusitis or runny nose. However, some sprays contain furanyl-fentanyl, a substance that is also used as a drug. The EU now warns against this chemical, there is a connection between the substance and numerous deaths.

Some nasal sprays contain a chemical that is also used as a psychoactive drug. According to experts, there is a link between the substance and numerous deaths. (Image: matthias21 / fotolia.com)

Multiple deaths and poisonings
After several deaths, the EU Commission plans to tighten its controls over furanyl-fentanyl, the chemical used in some nasal sprays, in future.

This substance can also be ordered in small quantities for research purposes on the Internet in powder form.

The substance may cause significant damage to health, according to the recently published "European Drugs Report" of the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

Furanyl-fentanyl (Fu-F) is being abused as a psychoactive drug and has so far claimed 23 lives in the EU - four of them in Germany - as well as eleven poisonings.

Increase in new psychoactive substances
EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos warned AFP that there is a "growth and availability of new psychoactive substances" according to a news story. These represented a "considerable" danger.

According to the information, the chemical used as a drug appeared in 16 of the 28 EU Member States.

The EU Parliament must now consult on stricter controls and make a joint decision.

Serious threat to public health
According to the drug report, "a total of 25 new opioids have been detected on the European drug market since 2009, of which nine were reported for the first time in 2016. These include 18 Fentanyle, eight of which were first reported in 2016 ".

Although the new Fentanyle are currently playing only a minor role in the European drug market, they are "highly potent and pose a serious threat to individuals and public health"..

In this context, as the experts write, the beginning commercialization of fentanyl-containing nasal sprays containing, for example, furanyl-fentanyl gives cause for concern. (Ad)