Dr Shaun Green is a clinical toxicologist and emergency medicine physician who works at Austin Health in Melbourne. He is currently the medical director of the Victorian Poisons Information Centre and director of the Austin Hospital Clinical Toxicology Service. Shaun trained as a clinical toxicologist in the United Kingdom where he developed a keen professional interest in recreational drugs. His research interests include novel psychoactive substances and pharmaceutical opioid harm reduction. Take Home Points:
• There are over 1400 recognised fentanyl analogues, but it is thought that only 200 have been tested pharmacologically.
• Carfentanil is lipophilic, has an active metabolite, and has a longer half-life than fentanyl.
• The absence of miosis (small pupils) does not rule out an opioid overdose and individuals still need to receive naloxone.
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