Pain and Chemical Dependency
Hannah Cawoski, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Addiction Medicine
Center for Inclusion Health - Allegheny Health Network
Pittsburgh, PA
Nathan Menke, MD, PhD, FASAM, FAAEM
Medical Director of Inpatient Addiction Medicine Consult Service, Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Jillian DiClemente, PharmD
Pain Management Clinical Pharmacist Specialist
Department of Pharmacy, University of Michigan Health
University of Michigan College of Pharmacy
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Adulterants are substances that are added to drugs to increase their volume, increase their potency, or to mimic the effects of other drugs. The specific adulterants found in the recreational drug supply can vary depending on the geographic region; some common adulterants include: fentanyl, levamisole, diphenhydramine, quinine, talcum powder, and xylazine.
It is important to realize that the use of adulterants in the recreational drug supply is not regulate by the FDA which results in poor quality control. The xenobiotics used as adulterants can have serious health consequences. Users should be aware of the potential risks and take steps to reduce their risk of harm.