The DEA's San Francisco office put the Bay Area on notice yesterday, warning that counterfeit pills in the region have tested positive for cychlorphine, an emerging synthetic opioid that experts say can be far more powerful than fentanyl. The alert comes as forensic labs and public health officials across the country report a sharp uptick in fatal overdoses tied to the compound.
In a social media post, DEA San Francisco shared a video of SAC Bob P. Beris speaking to KRCR7 and warned that early research suggests the compound, N‑Propionitrile chlorphine, commonly called cychlorphine, may be more potent than fentanyl. The post tagged federal partners and urged communities and harm‑reduction services to treat any counterfeit pill with extreme caution.
@DEASANFRANCISCO SAC Bob P. Beris speaks to @KRCR7 News about counterfeit pills containing #cychlorphine in our region. Early research suggests the synthetic opioid is more potent than #fentanyl
— DEASanFrancisco (@DEASANFRANCISCO) April 23, 2026
Visit>https://t.co/5De4SClzj0@DEAHQ @TheJusticeDept
What is cychlorphine?
Cychlorphine, formally N‑Propionitrile chlorphine, is part of an emergent subclass of synthetic opioids sometimes called "orphines," according to a January public alert from the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education. The group reported that it identified the compound in dozens of fatal overdose blood specimens and noted that the drug frequently appears alongside fentanyl, methamphetamine and novel benzodiazepines. That alert remains one of the clearest early signals labs and coroners have that the drug is spreading in the United States.
Why it's especially dangerous
Early laboratory work and regional reporting suggest cychlorphine may be roughly 10 times as potent as fentanyl, which would make even microscopic amounts lethal, per reporting by Spectrum. The compound is already being pressed into counterfeit tablets and mixed with other drugs, and state and local labs warn that standard fentanyl test strips may not detect it, a problem highlighted by WFYI and other regional outlets.
How to stay safer
Public health authorities emphasize treating any illicit pill as potentially lethal: carry naloxone, never use alone and call 911 immediately for a suspected overdose, according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because stronger synthetic opioids can require multiple doses of naloxone and fentanyl test strips may miss cychlorphine, experts recommend accessing formal drug‑checking services where available and keeping extra naloxone on hand, as The State reported.
What officials are doing
Federal and state laboratories are expanding testing and developing reference standards while agencies push alerts to clinicians, first responders and the public, according to a federal public notice archived by the Office of Justice Programs. Local DEA divisions have amplified those warnings on social media and shared interviews with reporters to promote naloxone distribution and community education.
San Francisco health and outreach groups say they will update naloxone distribution sites and notify clinics if lab confirmations arrive. For now, officials say the safest approach is simple and strict caution: treat pills as suspect, carry naloxone and seek emergency care if an overdose is suspected.
