Opioids
Brorphine
Street names: Purple heroin component, Brorph
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Potent fentanyl-adjacent opioid: strong sedation, euphoria, long duration
⚠Key risks
- Drove the 2020–2021 'purple heroin' wave — linked to overdose clusters across the US Midwest
- Potency ~ fentanyl-scale; mixing errors fatal
- Reversed by naloxone but may need high/repeat doses
- Often present with fentanyl, xylazine, or medetomidine in the same bag
✚Overdose signs
- Respiratory depression
- Blue lips, unresponsive
- Pinpoint pupils
📋Quick facts
Also known asPurple heroin component, Brorph
CategoryOpioids
Schedule / classSchedule I (US, 2021 temporary → permanent)
AppearanceWhite/off-white powder, often purple-tinted when mixed ('purple heroin')
Street priceSold as heroin/fentanyl — $10–$40 per bag
Legal statusSchedule I US; controlled internationally
Last updated2026-09-18
Sources: DEA, NIDA, NPS-AD
Category comparison — Opioids
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brorphine | Schedule I | Drove the 2020–2021 'purple heroin' wave — linked to overdose clusters across the US Midwest; Potency ~ fentanyl-scale; mixing errors fatal | Sold as heroin/fentanyl — $10–$40 per bag |
| Fentanyl | Schedule II | Respiratory depression; Addiction in days | ~$20–$40 per counterfeit pill |
| Xylazine (Tranq) | Not a controlled drug — veterinary anesthetic, adulterant | Not an opioid — naloxone does NOT reverse it; it still kills breathing; Flesh-rotting wounds (tranq lesions) that lead to amputation | Sold as part of fentanyl/heroin bags |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Brorphine look like?
White/off-white powder, often purple-tinted when mixed ('purple heroin')
What are the signs of a Brorphine overdose?
Respiratory depression; Blue lips, unresponsive; Pinpoint pupils Call emergency services immediately and give naloxone if available — it reverses opioid overdoses.
How addictive is it?
Drove the 2020–2021 'purple heroin' wave — linked to overdose clusters across the US Midwest Dependence can develop with regular use.