2024-08-06 13:13:29
(ANSA) – ROME, 06 AUG – The World Health Organization has issued an alert for a batch of a counterfeit painkiller discovered in Finland. The batch consists of some packages of oxymorphone hydrochloride, “an opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain,” explains the WHO. Laboratory tests have shown that the packages actually contained another active ingredient.
The molecule contained (methonitazene), “is a potent psychoactive synthetic opioid drug, which has no officially recognized or authorized medical use”, specifies the WHO. “It is under international control as a narcotic”; “small doses can cause serious adverse effects such as respiratory depression, severe sedation, dependence and an overdose can be fatal”.
The counterfeit drug can be recognized because the package does not have a bar code, it has a dosage of 40 mg (while the drug exists only in dosages of 5 mg and 10 mg), the tablets do not have letters and numbers in relief, the US National Drug Code is missing. If these anomalies are found, the WHO recommends that doctors and citizens do not use the product.
Counterfeit packages have so far only been found in Finland. (ANSA).
2024-08-06 13:13:29