BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Health alerted residents to the detection of cychlorphine in the state and reminded individuals of the importance of overdose-prevention strategies on Monday.

Cychlorphine is a highly potent synthetic opioid identified in the illegal drug supply across the country, including counterfeit pills and rug mixtures. 

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy reported 106 cases across 10 states in 2025, with Cychlorphine being linked to 55 deaths nationally from 2025 to 2026. Two Louisiana opioid-related deaths have confirmed the presence of cychlorphine since December 2025. 

An opioid overdose should be suspected when a person's breathing slows or stops, they become unresponsive, or have blue or purple fingernails and lips. While Narcan, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses by restoring breathing, is effective, it may require repeat dosing.