Drug Overdose Health Alert: Fentanyl-Contaminated Street Norco ®
Clarification on Reporting to County Public Health
Overdoses due to illicitly obtained drugs that strongly resemble the prescription drug Norco® have been reported in California, including in Sacramento and Contra Costa County. Instead of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, these counterfeit drugs actually contained an undetermined amount of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiate analgesic. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a Drug Overdose Health Alert on April 8, 2016 entitled "Fentanyl-Contaminated Street Norco®". This alert describes the recent report of 48 overdoses and at least 10 deaths over a 10-day period in Sacramento County that appear to be associated with the consumption of these counterfeit Norco® pills. CDPH is requesting that all health care facilities report suspected and confirmed fentanyl overdoses to local health departments to assess the magnitude and outcomes of this situation in California. This alert provides awareness and actions for all health care providers in Alameda County to take when presented with a suspected or confirmed opioid overdose case at their facility.
- Full Alameda County Public Health Department Advisory
- CDPH Drug Overdose Health Alert: Fentanyl-Contaminated Street Norco - April 8, 2016