Synthetic Opioid Cychlorphine Detected in San Francisco Fatal Overdose

San Francisco health officials reported that a synthetic opioid known as cychlorphine was detected in the city for the first time, linked to a fatal overdose earlier this month. The drug appeared in a counterfeit pill, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

Daniel Tsai, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, stated that the substance is believed to be more potent than fentanyl and was found in a counterfeit pill used by an individual. Law enforcement officials said cychlorphine was first identified in 2024 at a lab in Florida.

Bob Beris, special agent in charge of the San Francisco field division for federal drug enforcement, explained that pills can travel quickly across the country, such as from Chicago to San Francisco within 30 hours via major highways.

indicated that cychlorphine can appear in various forms, including pills, powder, or mixed with other drugs like cocaine. Beris stated that it can be sold as a powder, mixed into pills, or disguised as cocaine, and its absence in certain forms so far does not mean it is not present.

Public health experts noted that current fentanyl test strips do not detect cychlorphine. Dr. Philip Coffin, director of the Center on Substance Use and Health at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, advised avoiding counterfeit pills entirely due to this limitation.

issue is the drug's potential resistance to naloxone, known as Narcan, which may require multiple doses for effectiveness. Community organizations are increasing distribution of naloxone and educating the public. Douglas Liu, executive director of Community Health Workers Code Tenderloin, said his group has doubled the amount of Narcan distributed per night and is focusing on informing and educating the community through preventive and rehabilitative care.

officials urged the public to avoid counterfeit pills due to the unpredictable illicit drug supply. Separately, officials in New York City reported the first detections of carfentanil, a sedative used for large animals, and medetomidine, an animal tranquilizer stronger than xylazine.

Authorities emphasized harm-reduction strategies, including clean needle distribution and supervised use, to address drug use as a public health issue and protect vulnerable populations.