NEW DELHI: Rahul Mahajan, son of the slain Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Pramod Mahajan, could have used Fentanyl, also called `synthetic heroin,' that is 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine and non-distinguishable from powdered cocaine, say doctors in the capital.

Fentanyl is the newest entrant on the narcotic drug scene that is fast adding to the mortality rate in the country. To be taken under close medical supervision, Fentanyl is a narcotic analgesic and is prescribed to relieve pain. It is a habit-forming drug and is increasingly being smuggled into the country to meet its growing demand among drug users.

Strengthening the possibility of Mr. Mahajan having taken a cocktail of drugs, editor of Monthly Index of Medical Specialities C.M. Gulati said, "Fentanyl is often taken laced with cocaine/heroin and is fast becoming very popular among drug users here because of its easy availability and low cost. Fentanyl can be snorted and comes under the opiates family."

"Fentanyl, a prescription drug, is available for as little as Rs. 30-50 in liquid form and is internationally available in powder form. What makes this a tricky drug is the fact that Fentanyl's chemical structure is such that it cannot be tracked in a routine drug testing and has to be specifically tested for. This means unless the testing laboratory is specifically looking for this drug it would not be detected," added Dr. Gulati.

Fentanyl is used to treat chronic pain (caused due to different forms of cancer) and is deadly when coupled with alcohol, sleeping pills, sedatives and anti-histamines. "These medications give its users a rush and cause respiration depression, leading to death in case of an overdose.

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