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Carfentanil
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<p>Carfentanil or carfentanyl, formerly sold under the brand name Wildnil, is an extremely <a href="/facts/Equianalgesic/cyJ0BB1j">potent</a> <a href="/facts/Opioid/EGnE2x99">opioid</a> <a href="/facts/Analgesic/xLj4XBcq">analgesic</a> used in <a href="/facts/Veterinary_medicine/KYNaodgl">veterinary medicine</a> to <a href="/facts/Anesthesia/b3MKVn8E">anesthetize</a> large animals such as <a href="/facts/Elephant/6prrEFFK">elephants</a> and <a href="/facts/Rhinoceros/XPdqh7JF">rhinoceroses</a>. It is a <a href="/facts/Structural_analogue/3aysWSVG">structural analogue</a> of the <a href="/facts/Synthetic_compound/gqCNaN45">synthetic</a> opioid analgesic <a href="/facts/Fentanyl/MMD9GdD3">fentanyl</a>.. It is typically administered in this context by <a href="/facts/Tranquilizer_dart/AcwTwjnm">tranquilizer dart</a>. Carfentanil has also been used in humans to <a href="/facts/Medical_imaging/pL6JyJEp">image</a> <a href="/facts/Opioid_receptor/eDIAqgV3">opioid receptors</a>. It has additionally been used as a <a href="/facts/Recreational_drug/eoBD3vKn">recreational drug</a>, typically by <a href="/facts/Injection_(medicine)/fvkH58gk">injection</a>, <a href="/facts/Insufflation_(medicine)/dt9NPnl7">insufflation</a>, or <a href="/facts/Inhalational_administration/eB5VlguF">inhalation</a>. Deaths have been reported in association with carfentanil. </p><p>Effects and <a href="/facts/Side_effect/PhuX2haY">side effects</a> of carfentanil in humans are similar to those of other opioids and include <a href="/facts/Euphoria/u4cnbWC4">euphoria</a>, <a href="/facts/Relaxation_(psychology)/vYhaCua8">relaxation</a>, <a href="/facts/Analgesia/xLj4XBcq">pain relief</a>, <a href="/facts/Miosis/LsrhaFpb">pupil constriction</a>, <a href="/facts/Drowsiness/mIlFhyf0">drowsiness</a>, <a href="/facts/Sedation/wFWEChs8">sedation</a>, <a href="/facts/Bradycardia/70msP5HD">slowed heart rate</a>, <a href="/facts/Hypotension/BhrdVVRS">low blood pressure</a>, <a href="/facts/Hypothermia/lIYDCIAv">lowered body temperature</a>, <a href="/facts/Loss_of_consciousness/SS240v32">loss of consciousness</a>, and <a href="/facts/Respiratory_depression/ruqIr4oa">suppression of breathing</a>. The effects of carfentanil, including <a href="/facts/Overdose/Jlo2AX3Y">overdose</a>, can be reversed by the <a href="/facts/Opioid_antagonist/IRDdEk8N">opioid antagonists</a> <a href="/facts/Naloxone/M2GxfKzL">naloxone</a> and <a href="/facts/Naltrexone/SVduEm3W">naltrexone</a>, though higher doses than usual may be necessary compared to other opioids.: 23 It acts as an <a href="/facts/Potency_(pharmacology)/D38FDyPh">ultrapotent</a> and highly <a href="/facts/Binding_selectivity/RryTsdGv">selective</a> <a href="/facts/Agonist/nz8U5NNp">agonist</a> of the <a href="/facts/%25CE%259C-opioid_receptor/8a3wdeTc">μ-opioid receptor</a>. </p><p>Carfentanil was first synthesized in 1974 by a team of chemists at <a href="/facts/Janssen_Pharmaceuticals/LLI9aNQL">Janssen Pharmaceuticals</a> which included <a href="/facts/Paul_Janssen/JcWacnqT">Paul Janssen</a>. It was introduced into veterinary medicine in 1986. Carfentanil is legally controlled in most jurisdictions. </p>