A group of illegally produced chemicals that mimic the effects of specific drugs of abuse. They can cause drug dependence and drug poisoning. Made in illicit laboratories, they are cheap to produce and undercut the street prices of drugs. There are 3 major groups: drugs derived from opioid analgesic drugs such as fentanyl; drugs similar to amfetamines, such as ecstasy; and variants of phencyclidine (PCP), a hallucinogenic drug. These highly potent drugs are not tested for adverse effects or for the strength of the tablets or capsules, making their use hazardous. For example, some derivatives of fentanyl are 20–2,000 times more powerful than morphine. Amfetamine derivatives can cause brain damage at doses only slightly higher than those required for a stimulant effect. Many designer drugs contain impurities that can cause permanent damage.
Designer drugs |
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