Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. But exposure through the skin is not expected to lead to toxicity "due to its extremely poor penetration of the skin barrier, and symptoms of intoxication from skin exposure are unlikely," a Health and Human Services fact sheet for first responders states. 

In fact, a person overdosing on fentanyl by simply coming into casual contact with the drug would be "an incredibly rare event," according to Dr. Caleb Alexander, epidemiologist and drug safety expert at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

"The skin is a very good barrier and defense against a lot of things that are out there in the world, and it would be incredibly unusual for somebody to touch something that was contaminated with fentanyl and subsequently to experience a really serious, adverse effect from it," he added.

 "Most people that are getting injured or unfortunately succumbing to fentanyl are taking it," he said. "They’re either using an opioid or they’re using cocaine or another drug that happens to be contaminated with fentanyl — but they’re not just innocently touching a surface — a counter or a tabletop or something — and then experiencing an adverse effect from it."

Please, have Narcan available in every househould because you never know if you will need it.

Anyone can purchase NARCAN® Nasal Spray directly from a pharmacist, without a doctor’s prescription, in accordance with the particular laws of each state. NARCAN® Nasal Spray can be obtained at retail pharmacies across the country. All major pharmacy and grocery chain pharmacies stock NARCAN® Nasal Spray, so it is convenient for you to obtain.

If you are going to a local/independent pharmacy, please call in advance to ensure it has the product.

Qualified public interest entities may purchase NARCAN® Nasal Spray directly from Emergent BioSolutions through NARCANDirect.