Iowa agencies warn about fake pain pills

(The Gazette, Cedar Rapids / Lee Hermiston)

DES MOINES — State officials are warning Iowans about fake pain pills containing powerful and illegal opiates.

According to the advisory issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Department of Public Safety, Poison Control Center and Office of Drug Control Policy, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s laboratory has seen multiple cases recently of pills designed to resemble oxycodone but actually contained synthetic opioids fentanyl and U-47700.

“As the DEA warns, counterfeit pills like those found in Iowa that are not prescribed or dispensed by health care professionals may contain deadly amounts of fentanyls or other synthetic opioids,” a statement from the agencies reads.  "Because some illicit synthetic opioids can be highly lethal when touched or inhaled, Iowans are cautioned against handling or using prescription medicine, or anything resembling prescription medicine, if it's not issued by an authorized health care provider."

The agencies emphasized that there is not concern over prescription medicine obtained from licensed prescribers and pharmacies.