BMJ Case Report links fentanyl inhalation to rapid onset of toxic leukoencephalopathy.

A BMJ Case Report highlights a case of toxic leukoencephalopathy (TLE), a rare brain damage condition, caused by smoking fentanyl in a man with no previous medical history. This case suggests that inhalation of fentanyl may rapidly and highly concentrate the substance in the brain, leading to TLE. As fentanyl use increases in the US and UK, medical professionals should consider adding it to routine toxicity screening tests and identifying more potent synthetic opioids.

May 20, 2024
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