Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to treat chronic pain. While it serves a similar purpose to other opioids, fentanyl is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. In a medical setting, fentanyl is often administered to relieve post-surgical pain or for chronic pain patients. Given its potency, taking as much as two milligrams may result in an overdose. In this blog, our Greenville defense lawyers discuss the dangers of fentanyl and how the state has tightened up regulations regarding this societal threat.
What Does Fentanyl Do to the Body?
Although fentanyl has been used in medical settings for years, taking even a small amount can have lethal consequences. Fentanyl is available in different strengths and formulations, with the medical effects being situation-specific. Fentanyl’s effects will depend on a person’s overall health, weight, tolerance, and quantity consumed. Fentanyl impedes the central nervous system, blocking pain signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
Common side effects from fentanyl include developing a skin rash, constipation, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and, in some cases, death. Also, fentanyl suppresses brain activity, attaching to receptors in the brain that control breathing and heart rate. This will slow down a person’s breathing and heart rate, which is especially problematic if you already have respiratory and/or heart issues.
Symptoms of a Fentanyl Overdose
Just two milligrams of fentanyl can result in an overdose. Symptoms of a fentanyl overdose may include:
- Feeling sleepy
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Respiratory arrest (completely stopping breathing)
- Pinpoint (small) pupils
- Choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds
- Blue or purple lips or fingertips
- Unresponsiveness to loud noise or painful stimuli
Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Act
As of May 22nd, 2025, the Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Act was signed into law in South Carolina. Codified under )SC Code § 16-3-80, a person may be found guilty of fentanyl-induced homicide if they provided fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance to another person and the injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion legally caused that person’s death.
Under the Act, an offender may be sentenced up to 30 years in prison. While consent is not a valid defense, in limited situations, clear and convincing evidence of suicide may allow the defendant to avoid prosecution.
Aggressive Representation Against Fentanyl Charges
Fentanyl-related charges are taken seriously in South Carolina, with the State making the possession of just two grains a felony. A felony conviction comes with a lengthy prison sentence and steep fines. If you are caught manufacturing or selling 28 grams or more of fentanyl, you can be sentenced up to 40 years in prison and fined $200,000.
If you have been charged with possessing, manufacturing, delivering, or trafficking fentanyl, building a strong defense early on can mitigate your criminal liability. While exculpatory evidence (evidence that clears you of guilt) is valuable, it is not always available. In many cases, our drug charge defense lawyers look for Constitutional violations, which may include an unlawful search or seizure, failure to read an arrestee their Miranda rights, or other police misconduct. If you believe a Constitutional violation occurred, please notify our legal team.
Reach Out to Our Greenville Drug Charge Defense Lawyers Today
Fentanyl is a potent and addictive opioid that threatens society at large. Given the dangers of fentanyl, the South Carolina legislature has instituted harsher penalties for those found in possession, manufacturing, selling, or transporting this dangerous substance. If you are facing fentanyl-related charges, Eppes & Plumblee is available to represent your interests. To schedule your confidential consultation with one of our Greenville drug charge defense attorneys, contact our office online or by calling (864) 581-3450.