checkit! has developed a "China White" - Heroin sample was identified as having a particularly harmful composition.

In addition to an above-average content of diacetylmorphine, the sample also contained 6-monoacetylmorphine, caffeine, noscapine, an unknown substance and the highly potent synthetic opioid fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and about one hundred times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl has already been associated with numerous life-threatening overdoses, which have also led to deaths as a result of respiratory depression. Mixed use with other centrally depressant substances (as contained in this sample) is strongly discouraged. Furthermore, serious interactions with a number of medications are known.

Reports of synthetic opioids are increasing across Europe. Over the course of the last year, checkit! has also occasionally detected synthetic opioids in various substance samples.

The term "synthetic opioids" refers to substances that are produced synthetically and have a similar effect to natural opiates (e.g. morphine) or heroin. The potency of these substances is often many times higher than that of morphine, which makes dosing difficult or even impossible without a laboratory scale. Even careless handling of some substances can be life-threatening.

China White is often used in online forums and in the literature as a name for a synthetic opioid, the fentanyl analogue α-methylfentanyl, but also for mixtures of heroin with synthetic opioids.

Due to the above-mentioned high potency of synthetic opioids and the increased risk of respiratory depression (especially through the combination of two centrally depressant substances), we strongly advise against their use.

Further information on synthetic opioids can be found at:
https://checkit.wien/substanzen/synthetische-opioide/