Different Types of Heroin

Heroin (diacetyl morphine) comes in different types which can have significant clinical implications.

Types of heroin:

(1) based on color, consistency and manufacture

(2) based on purity (based on base concentration and inert additives)

(3) based on noninert additives

Color and Consistency	Production	Features
black (to dark brown) tar	crude extract	lower potency; requires heat for water solubility; can contain pathogenic bacteria
brown	partially purified (base)	burns at lower temperature so can be smoked; poor water solubility until treated with acid
"white" (white, off-white, pink, light brown)	highly purified (diacetyl morphine HCl), acidic	burns at a higher temperature; highly soluble in water; often used IV

Purity depends on production and "cutting" with inert additives. A change in supply with higher potency can increase deaths.

Noninert additives:

(1) fentanyl (increases high, increases addictive potential, increases risk of death)

(2) strychnine (acts as stimulant)

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