Doctors Explain The Risks Of Fentanyl Overdose Ahead of Influencer Anunay Sood's Death Revelations

US officials have revealed that the death of Indian origin social media influencer and travel content creator Anunay Sood was due to an overdose involving a combination of fentanyl and alcohol (ethanol). Earlier, it was believed that the 32-year-old Instagram figure based in Dubai, who was found unresponsive in a Las Vegas hotel, had lost his life due to a heart attack.

In a recent turn of events on Tuesday morning, the Clark County, Nevada, coroner's office clarified that the loss of life was caused by a toxic overdose, causing the internet to buzz with questions about fentanyl. The drug has created a sense of alarm among netizens, curious to know exactly what it is and how it can lead to death so rapidly.

To gain more insights about the drug, we reached out to Dr Vikram Jeet Singh, Senior Consultant of Internal Medicine at Aakash Healthcare, and Dr G. Nasiruddin, Consultant of Internal Medicine at Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru. Continue reading to know all about Fentanyl.

What is Fentanyl and Its Medical Use?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug, similar to morphine or heroin, but it is extremely potent and entirely man-made with no natural ingredients, as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), United States.

Speaking with the Onlymyhealth editorial team, Dr Vikram Jeet Singh mentioned, “Fentanyl is an artificial analgesic opioid used for severe, acute, or chronic pain that cannot be controlled using conventional analgesic drugs.”

“In medical settings, this drug is used to manage severe pain, such as after major surgery, advanced cancer, trauma, or during anaesthesia. Doctors prescribe it only when pain is intense and cannot be managed by milder painkillers,” Dr G. Nasiruddin added. He also noted that it is available in tightly regulated forms like injections, patches, or lozenges and must always be used under close medical supervision.

Why a Tiny Amount Is a Significant Threat

Dr Singh noted that a very small quantity of this drug can be lethal, making it a significant threat to public health. Speaking on what makes fentanyl so dangerous, Dr Singh shared, “Fentanyl is harmful due to its ability to shut down essential brain functions even in microgram doses. It can significantly suppress breathing and consciousness within minutes.”

“Because fentanyl is extremely potent, even microgram quantities can overwhelm the brain’s breathing control centres. The gap between a therapeutic dose and a fatal dose is very small, which makes accidental overdose far more likely, especially outside a medical setting,” Dr Nasiruddin said.

Also Read: Anunay Sood’s Death Reason Cited to Be Fentanyl and Alcohol Toxicity by the US Officials

Categorised as a Weapon of Mass Destruction in the US

On 15 December, over a month after Anunay Sood’s death, the Trump administration declared illicit fentanyl a ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’ (WMD) in the United States.

The term highlights fentanyl’s ability to cause a large number of deaths rather than any military application. Dr Nasiruddin explained, “Due to its extreme potency, the ease of transporting it in very small quantities, and the widespread fatalities linked to illegal use, it was described as a major public health and national security threat.”

How It Differs From Morphine

Reports claim that fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. It acts faster, reaches the brain more quickly, and has a much narrower safety margin. “While morphine doses can be adjusted gradually, fentanyl requires very precise dosing due to its dangerous ability to suppress breathing,” Dr Nasiruddin highlighted.

Dr Singh noted that this artificial drug crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively than almost any other painkiller. “Morphine has a greater safety margin, but fentanyl is far more hazardous when abused,” the doctor shared. An overdose leads to oxygen deprivation, which can cause rapid brain damage or death unless immediate treatment is administered.

Also Read: From Anunay Sood’s Death to Dharmenda and Govinda’s Hospitalisation: Celebrities Who’ve Been in News for Medical Reasons

Use as a Recreational Drug

Fentanyl is a highly addictive drug that is cheap and easy to manufacture, which explains its widespread illicit usage. Dr Singh explained that to enhance effects, drug traffickers often mix it into heroin, cocaine, or fake pills without the user's knowledge. “This results in accidental exposure and dependence, causing death through overdose even in experienced drug users.”

Physical Signs of an Overdose

The onset of a fentanyl overdose is usually rapid and leaves little to no room for survival. However, doctors shared a few visible physical symptoms that signal a fentanyl overdose and can be monitored for early medical intervention:

• Unresponsiveness or lack of breathing
• Excessive drowsiness leading to an unconscious state
• Pinpoint pupils
• A bluish colour of the lips or nails caused by an oxygen shortage
• Cold or clammy skin
• A weakened or irregular pulse

Substances to Avoid

Dr Nasiruddin emphasised that the interaction of fentanyl with other intoxicants can multiply its effects. These combinations significantly increase the risk of fatal respiratory suppression:

• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepines (such as Diazepam or Alprazolam)
• Other opioids, sleeping pills, or sedatives
• Muscle relaxants

The interaction of fentanyl with these substances causes a dangerous multiplication of central nervous system depression. Dr Singh also warned that medical disclosure and monitoring are necessary even for popular anti-anxiety drugs, as they can be lethal in combination with fentanyl.

Also Read: Anunay Sood Death: 5 Influencers Who Sadly Passed Away Due to Health Issues

Can a Fentanyl Overdose Be Reversed?

Medical reports indicate that Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse a fentanyl overdose, but multiple doses may be required because of the drug's strength.

Dr Nasiruddin underlined that Naloxone works by blocking opioid receptors and re-establishing breathing. “However, because fentanyl is so strong, several doses of Naloxone may be needed. It can also wear off before the fentanyl is fully eliminated from the body; therefore, emergency medical care is imperative even if the patient appears to recover initially,” he added.

Bottomline

Fentanyl suppresses breathing very rapidly, sometimes even before a person realises something is wrong. Unlike many other drugs, where an overdose progresses gradually, fentanyl can cause sudden respiratory failure, leaving little time for intervention. The passing of Anunay Sood, who was known for his strong social media presence with more than 1.5 million followers, has ignited a debate around the illegal use and access of fentanyl to the general public without medical oversight.