Health security

State warns medical providers on increased fentanyl in cocaine

Recent reports showing increasing amounts of fentanyl and cocaine - a particularly lethal combination - in the toxicology of those who died from opioid-related overdoses has prompted a clinical advisory's re-issue in the commonwealth to include all medical providers.

The presence of fentanyl in the toxicology of those who died from opioid-related overdoses in the state rose to nearly 90 percent in 2018, according to the latest quarterly report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

In releasing its second 2018 quarterly report Aug. 24, the DPH said it was re-issuing a June clinical advisory because of this as well as the presence of cocaine in the toxicology of some 43 percent of those who died from opioid-related overdose in the first quarter of the year.