The real white elliptical pill with the imprint U03 has been identified as Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 325 mg / 10 mg. It is supplied by Aurolife Pharma LLC. Acetaminophen/hydrocodone is used in the treatment of back pain; pain; cough and belongs to the drug class narcotic analgesic combinations.
A Fake drug is a drug product that is not what it purports to be. It is any drug product that is formulated or made to appear to be better than it really is. The term can also refer to a drug that is deliberately and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to identity and/or source or with fake packaging.
The deadly consequences of using counterfeit U03 pills are well understood to be a challenge to the integrity of public health systems around the globe, and also a threat to our individual health and welfare. Fake U03 pill are responsible for many opioid related deaths.
The CDC reported Tuesday that seven patients were treated for overdoses in Bay Area hospitals in late March and early April after taking what they thought were tablets of Norco, a brand-name painkiller that combines acetaminophen and hydrocodone.
But the counterfeit Norco, which the patients bought off the street, mostly contained the opiate fentanyl, which is 100 times more powerful than morphine, according to the CDC. In addition to the fentanyl, the pills contained promethazine, an allergy drug that’s believed to intensify the effects of fentanyl.
Sacramento County health officials in late March reported at least 36 overdoses related to similar counterfeit Norco tablets laced with fentanyl. Nine of those 36 patients died. With plenty of pills flooding the streets, fake pills have surpassed heroin for overdose deaths and have touched all demographic groups. According to reports these pills that sell for $9 to $30 each also took the lives of a 17-year-old star high school baseball pitcher from a Phoenix suburb and a pair of 19-year-old best friends and prominent former high school athletes in Arizona.
In their latest report, on fake online pharmacies that ply their trade in the United States, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) found more than 1,500 new websites that it considers “Not Recommended,” and of these, 31% are offering illicit prescription drugs. According to CNN, Two synthetic opioids have been found in the fake pain pills suspected in a cluster of overdoses.
What does a fake U03 Pill look like?
A consumer, may not have access to most of the test equipment used by regulatory bodies to verify the identity of a drug product but there are simple guidelines that can help identify a fake U03 pill;
Check the U03 Pill Packaging: This is the simplest and easiest method to check the authenticity of the U03 pill. Check the packaging for details like unusual fonts, print color, and missing logos. Analyze whether it appears the same or different from the one you have used before.
No Breakage in the Seal: A U03 pill packet that comes with a security seal should not be damaged. Look for a crack or breaks in the sealing tape.
Check the U03 Pill Dosage Form: Look for dissimilarities in the physical appearance of the drug like its color, size, uniformity, consistency, shape, etc.
Physical Attributes of tablet: As stated by World Health Organization, the common physical attributes that need to be looked out for in medicine tablets are;
- Small pieces of tablets, excessive powder at the bottom of the medicine container, or brittle and crumbly capsules spilling powder.
- Cracks in the tablets or capsule.
- The appearance of crystal on the container walls or on the medicine tablets.
- Softening or hardening of the medicines.
- Swelling, spots or discoloration of the tablets or capsule.
Allergies / Unexpected Side Effects from using U03 Pill: Most of the medicines including U03 pill have side effects. It is important to consult your doctor before the usage to keep a check on allergies arising from it. If you notice certain unexpected or harmful side effects from your medication, report to your doctor immediately.
Price of U03 Pill: If the price of a U03 pill is suddenly far cheaper than the usual rate, double check the product as there may be a chance that the fake companies wanted to lure customers by providing medicines at much cheaper rates.
Verify Online or SMS: Many countries have unique methods for the verification of the genuineness of pills using authentication code or other online portals to confirm the authenticity of the U03 pill being purchased.
Fentanyl Test
Fentanyl testing is one of the most reliable ways of telling a fake from a real U03 pill. A new University of Maryland study found Fentanyl tops the list of drugs detected in overdose patients at two Baltimore hospital emergency departments. The finding suggests that hospitals and medical systems throughout the United States consider adding Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid linked to most fatal overdoses in Maryland, to their routine drug testing panels. That is the conclusion of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland, College Park. Currently, fentanyl is not routinely included in these panels nationwide. The procedure described below can help law enforcement agents and public health officials to pick out fentanyl-laced powders and pills.
Steps
- Crush the pill or pour the powder into a clean bowl or test tube
- Add ¼ inch of clean water to the powder in the tube or bowl and mix properly
- Dip the end of the test strip into the residue for 15 seconds, remove it, and lay it on a clean flat surface
- Check the strip after 5 minutes, (manufacturer’s directions) results may be visible sooner: One line means fentanyl (positive) Two lines mean no fentanyl (negative) * If the strip does not either have one or two lines, the test is invalid. ALSO SEE: How to Spot T 259 Yellow Pill Fake Vs Real
