U-47700 (Pink): What You Should Know

U-47700, often known by the street name Pink, is an illegal Schedule I narcotic that has been surging across the United States. A potent opioid, it is often mixed with other opioids or sold as a counterfeit prescription pill, carrying a risk of overdose and death. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the facts surrounding U-47700.

What is U-47700?

U-47700 is a synthetic opioid, meaning that it is man-made in a lab. It is an illegal drug in the United States and is around 7.5 times more potent than morphine. Although originally developed by a pharmaceutical company as an alternative to morphine in the late 1970s, it is not approved for medical use in any country in the world. People often buy and sell the drug online from international sources.

The drug often looks like a white or pink powder. It can be sold in baggies, or made into counterfeit pills that look like prescription painkillers. Sometimes the drug may be sold in other formulations, such as a liquid form to be inhaled.

People abuse U-47700 in various ways, including by mouth, rectally, snorting, inhaling and injecting.

U-47700 Street Names

U-47700 is known by several different street names, including:

• Pink
• Pinky
• U4

It can also be found in combination with other illicit opioids, which are mixed and sold under street names like:

• Gray Death: a mixture of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil and U-47700
• # and Red Bull: a mixture of furanylfentanyl, valerylfentanyl and U-47700
• New York Post: a mixture of valerylfentanyl and U-47700
• Fendi and Fendi logo: a mixture of aceytlfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, valerylfentanyl and U-47700
• Beats by Dr Dre, Unstoppable: a mixture of heroin, furanylfentanyl, valerylfentanyl and U-47700 

U-47700 Classification

The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies U-47700 as a Schedule I controlled substance. This means it is illegal in the United States, is prone to abuse, addiction and dependence, and has no recognized medical use.

Due to multiple overdose deaths, the DEA originally put the drug into Schedule I on a temporary basis in 2016, with the scheduling later extended to become permanent.

Dangers of U-47700 (Pink)

As a Schedule I controlled substance that has resulted in many overdose deaths, U-47700 is considered extremely dangerous. In particular, its overdose effects are similar to other strong opioids. This is because, like other opioids, it primarily binds to the mu opioid receptor in the brain.

Another danger is that the drug is sold on the street in combination with other illicit narcotics, sometimes disguised as counterfeit prescription opioids. For this reason, a person may believe they are buying prescription medication on the street when in reality they are buying U-47700.

What are the effects of U-47700 (pink)?

Because it works similarly to other opioids, U-47700’s overdose effects also resemble those of other opioids and include:

• Pinpoint pupils
• Slowed breathing
• Bluish tint to the skin, lips or nails
• Extreme sedation

An overdose of U-47700 can be treated with the opioid reversal agent naloxone (Narcan). An opioid overdose is a medical emergency and should be immediately treated with naloxone if available, and a call to 911.

U-47700 Increases in Ohio along with Opioid Epidemic 

Ohio has one of the highest overdose rates in the United States, and the presence of U-47700 has increased in the state along with the opioid epidemic. In early 2021, an Ohio man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for dealing large quantities of U-47700 along with other illegal narcotics. Overdose deaths in Ohio have also surged, with Franklin County experiencing a 46% increase in overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020. 

Besides the standalone drug U-47700, mixtures containing U-47700 along with other deadly illicit drugs like Gray Death which have recently been found in Ohio. As the opioid epidemic continues its path across the United States, it is important to be aware of the dangers presented by U-47700 and other synthetic narcotics, including addiction and overdose. 

If you or someone you care about are using U-47700 or other opioids, the consequences can be swift and serious. If you find that you are unable to stop using these drugs, you may need treatment for an opioid use disorder. The Recovery Village Columbus can help. We offer a range of professional addiction treatment options including medical detox, inpatient rehab, outpatient programming and aftercare services. Contact us today to discuss your unique needs and a treatment plan that can meet them.