Pink, the Deadly New Opioid Drug

Pink, technically known as U-47700, is an extremely potent, highly dangerous synthetic opioid drug. It was originally developed in the 1970s by the pharmaceutical company Upjohn. It was never intended for public use. Beginning in 2015, reports started to surface of overdoses and prevalence of the drug on the street in Asia, Europe and the United States, going by the street names “pink,” “pinky,” or “U4.” It comes in powder or tablet form and light pink in color. This new opioid drug is several times more powerful than morphine and is often confused with heroin or other opioid drugs, leading to accidental overdose.

One of the primary dangers of using pink is that there is no way of knowing exactly what is in the drug or the potency. The new opioid drug is often sold online, under various names, disguised in many different forms of packaging. When it is sold on the street, it can be made to mimic heroin. Pink can even be made to resemble pills that seem identical to other prescription opioids. All of these deceptive delivery methods adds an even greater danger element to the drug. Many people abusing drugs are taking pink and don’t even know it. People taking pink will experience euphoric effects similar to those of other opioid drugs. It has the same addiction-forming properties as other opioids and carries the same, if not greater, risk of overdose that is fatal in many cases. Rapid increases in the heart rate, seizures, nausea, coma and death are all possible outcomes of a pink overdose.

After 46 deaths were linked to U-47700 in 2015 and 2016, the DEA classified the drug as a Schedule I controlled substance. The Schedule I category indicates that a drug has a very high risk for abuse, addiction and dependence, and carries a significant risk of both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Schedule I drugs also have no practical use in medicine.

If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid addiction, getting professional treatment is your best option for getting back to a healthy life, free from dependence. The treatment process usually starts with an assessment where the extent of the addiction is determined and a comprehensive care plan is put into place. When opioids are involved, inpatient detoxification is typically the first step in the process. Patients are given drug replacement therapy so that they can be comfortably eased off of opioid drugs in a safe, controlled environment. After detox, rehabilitation steps include inpatient or outpatient counseling and therapies which are designed to address the mental and emotional aspects of drug addiction and substance abuse.