Sixth Fatality Linked to Tainted Norco Painkillers in Sacramento County: UPDATED

UPDATE 3:32 PM

SACRAMENTO, CA- Sacramento County public health officials say a sixth death has been linked to street Norco pills possibly laced with fentanyl, and a dozen more overdoses have flooded Sacramento hospitals this week.

Sacramento County Public Health officials reported Tuesday that 12 poisoning overdoses have happened in the last 48 hours, associated with ingestion of street Norco tablets that may be contaminated with fentanyl, bringing the total number of overdoses this week to 28, six of which have been fatal.

Norco, which is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, is used to treat pain, officials explain. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate analgesic also used for pain relief and is estimated to be 80-times more potent than morphine and hundreds of times more potent than heroin.

“Opioids purchased on the street are dangerous and may contain additional contaminants," public health officials stated in a press release Tuesday, “Fentanyl is odorless and drugs contaminated with fentanyl cannot be easily distinguished from drugs that are not contaminated.”

The signs and symptoms of opioid overdose include unconsciousness or unresponsiveness, trouble breathing or cessation of breathing, bluish discoloration of skin, vomiting and pinpoint pupils, says the release.

Public Health says they are working closely with hospitals, asking for increased surveillance and reports of any suspected and confirmed opioid overdoses.

---------------------------

ORIGINAL REPORT- Sacramento County public health officials say a sixth death has been linked to Norco pills possibly laced with fentanyl this week; dozens more overdoses have flooded Sacramento hospitals, according to a report from the LA Times.

The LA Times reports, 28 overdoses have been linked to the street drug, six of which have been fatal.

Sacramento County Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye told the Sacramento Bee on Friday, “It’s an emergency. From what we’re being told from poison control officials, this is a spike in number of incidents in a short period of time.”

Norco, which is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, is used to treat pain. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate analgesic also used for pain relief. When combined, officials say the result can be deadly.

Previous:

• Norco Painkillers Believed to be Linked to Five Deaths in Sacramento County

This is a developing story. Click refresh to update.

Photo via Shutterstock