Cychlorphine has been detected in central Kentucky as Tennessee authorities link the synthetic opioid to 41 deaths in 11 counties in 2026. The drug is believed to be 10 times more potent than fentanyl and is not detectable by fentanyl testing strips.
Officials in Kentucky, the Carolinas and Tennessee are warning about cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid reportedly up to 10 times stronger than fentanyl. Authorities say it has been tied to overdose deaths and may require more Narcan to reverse overdoses.
Knox County officials are seeking restrictions on cychlorphine after the synthetic opioid was detected in 41 overdose deaths in and around Knox County. The drug is described as extremely potent, not detectable through most test kits, and may require repeated naloxone doses in an overdose.
