Emergency calls related to opioid overdoses are increasing in Austin, Texas, as cychlorphine, a synthetic drug reported to be ten times stronger than fentanyl, spreads nationwide. In late September, Austin’s emergency medical services (EMS) revealed to a local TV station that it registered 98 opioid overdose calls over the prior 30 days, a jump from 73 the previous year. Nine patients required more than two doses of Narcan to counter the overdose. Typically, one to two doses suffice,
stated Captain Christa Stedman of Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS). Comparing this to last year’s September figures, we faced 73 opioid overdoses, with only two needing more than two Narcan doses,
she continued.
EMS doesn’t test for different opioids during treatment, but cychlorphine-related overdoses frequently demand multiple Narcan doses. Texas isn’t alone; cychlorphine-linked deaths are climbing across the U.S., with Tennessee reporting the most fatal overdoses connected to the drug.
Understanding Cychlorphine
Cychlorphine, scientifically termed N-propionitrile chlorphine, is a synthetic opioid responsible for numerous U.S. deaths since last year. While not new, its presence in illicit drug trafficking has become prominent recently. Initially synthesized in a Belgian lab in the 1960s, cychlorphine belongs to a class known as orphines, studied for potential pain relief. Though never approved for medical use, the recipe for cychlorphine was published in academic journals, now accessible online, allowing production. Keith Humphreys, Stanford psychiatry professor and former senior drug policy adviser, shared insights with The New York Times.
Cychlorphine vs. Fentanyl
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has highlighted cychlorphine’s mixture with fentanyl and counterfeit pills. Detection remains difficult as standard fentanyl test strips fail to identify it. Man-made orphines are considerably more potent than fentanyl, with cychlorphine estimated to be up to ten times stronger.
Tracking Cychlorphine’s Spread
Cychlorphine was first identified in the U.S. in Florida in April 2024, as per DEA data. It spread from the East Coast to the West Coast rapidly. By 2025, the drug surfaced in 106 instances across ten states in all four U.S. regions, predominantly in the South, Midwest, and Northeast. From 2025 to early 2026, at least 55 deaths nationwide were linked to cychlorphine, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Tennessee alone reported 64 related deaths between July 2025 and September, noted by Knox County’s Regional Forensic Center (RFC). Although Tennessee’s situation may not be graver than other states, our surveillance is more robust,
said Chris Thomas, RFC’s chief administrative officer. He added that drug-related fatalities in Knox County fell 16% in the first half of 2026. Once we identified cychlorphine, awareness helped reduce its presence,
he said.
In July, Alex Krotulski, director of toxicology and chemistry at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, informed SciLine of 140 cychlorphine-related deaths across nearly 20 U.S. states and Canada. Compiling a national tally remains challenging due to varied tracking methods among states.
Other Drugs Drawing Attention
Kratom, an herbal supplement, gained national focus following the deaths of two University of Mississippi students. Found near their bodies, investigations continue without official linkage. Authorities warned against using unprescribed substances. Dr. Dan Edney, Mississippi’s state health officer, said cychlorphine hasn’t been detected in the state yet but cautioned against potential emergence.
We receive trends last. I’ve urged the Legislature to schedule concerns in advance and alert the public, while staying vigilant with our surveillance,
Edney stressed. The University of Mississippi and Edney were contacted for comments regarding this issue.
The Deadly Nature of Street Drugs
Officials warn of cychlorphine’s potential to initiate a grave opioid epidemic. This drug’s lethality, even in minute amounts, could significantly impact drug-related death rates,
Thomas stressed. Street drugs in 2026 are deadlier than ever.
Knox County RFC has been proactively spreading awareness about cychlorphine locally, nationally, and internationally. By collaborating with substance abuse providers, we share cautionary tales to aid those battling addiction, guiding them towards recovery programs,
Thomas added. Cooperation extends to local, state, and federal bodies to trace drug sources, aiding interdiction efforts.
Global Reach of Cychlorphine
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) noted in May that cychlorphine had surfaced in 10 countries with 182 drug seizures, and 78 cychlorphine-related postmortem cases. By September 1, UNODC confirmed its report in 17 countries, affecting regions in Europe and North America.
For concerns and assistance with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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