Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39859160›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2025

The Rise of Fentanyl: Molecular Aspects and Forensic Investigations.

Cecilia Barletta, Virginia Di Natale, Massimiliano Esposito, Mario Chisari, Giuseppe Cocimano, Lucio Di Mauro, Monica Salerno, Francesco Sessa

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  5. Review
  6. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Cecilia BarlettaLegal Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Virginia Di NataleLegal Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Massimiliano EspositoFaculty of Medicine and Surgery, "Kore" University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7880-3450
Mario Chisari"Rodolico-San Marco" Hospital, Santa Sofia Street, 87, 95121 Catania, Italy.
Giuseppe CocimanoDepartment of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Vanvitelli", 80121 Napoli, Italy.
Lucio Di MauroLegal Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Monica SalernoLegal Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Francesco SessaLegal Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-0357-8791

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid widely used for its potent analgesic effects in chronic pain management and intraoperative anesthesia. However, its high potency, low cost, and accessibility have also made it a significant drug of abuse, contributing to the global opioid epidemic. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of fentanyl's medical applications, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and pharmacogenetics while examining its adverse effects and forensic implications. Special attention is given to its misuse, polydrug interactions, and the challenges in determining the cause of death in fentanyl-related fatalities. Fentanyl misuse has escalated dramatically, driven by its substitution for heroin and its availability through online platforms, including the dark web. Polydrug use, where fentanyl is combined with substances like xylazine, alcohol, benzodiazepines, or cocaine, exacerbates its toxicity and increases the risk of fatal outcomes. Fentanyl undergoes rapid distribution, metabolism by

Indexed as

Analgesics, OpioidFentanylOpioid-Related DisordersHumansPharmacogeneticsAnalgesics, OpioidFentanylabusefentanylpharmacogeneticsynthetic opioidtoxicology

Identifiers

PMID39859160
PMCPMC11765396

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.