Deadly Combination: Medetomidine-Laced Fentanyl Surges in US Cities, Claiming Lives in San Francisco

San Francisco, California United States of America
A new and potentially deadly drug, Medetomidine or fentanyl laced with animal tranquilizer, has been identified in multiple cities across the US including San Francisco.
Dr. Daniel Ciccarone from UCSF expressed concern about the potential dangers of this drug combination.
In San Francisco, over 600 people lost their lives due to fentanyl overdoses in 2023.
Medetomidine is a potent animal tranquilizer that has been detected in drug supplies across the US including Chicago, Indianapolis, Toronto, and Vancouver.
More than 600 people were hospitalized from Medetomidine-laced fentanyl in Philadelphia within the last month alone.
San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey has urged the city to test for Medetomidine presence in the local drug supply.
The San Francisco Medical Examiner's toxicology lab tests for more than 200 substances in every case and detected Xylazine, Bromazolam, as well as Medetomidine in decedents of accidental overdoses.
Deadly Combination: Medetomidine-Laced Fentanyl Surges in US Cities, Claiming Lives in San Francisco

A new and potentially deadly drug, Medetomidine or fentanyl laced with animal tranquilizer, has been identified in multiple cities across the US, including San Francisco. The potent combination of opioids and sedatives is causing a surge in overdoses and hospitalizations.

According to reports from various sources, more than 600 people were hospitalized from Medetomidine-laced fentanyl in Philadelphia within the last month alone. In San Francisco, over 600 people lost their lives due to fentanyl overdoses in 2023.

Medetomidine is a potent animal tranquilizer that has been detected in drug supplies across the US, including Chicago, Indianapolis, Toronto, and Vancouver. The sedative effects of Medetomidine can increase the risk for overdose when combined with fentanyl.

Dr. Daniel Ciccarone from UCSF expressed concern about the potential dangers of this drug combination. He noted that the sedating effects of both drugs could lead to an increased risk for overdose.

The San Francisco Medical Examiner's toxicology lab tests for more than 200 substances in every case, and Dr. Luke Rodda, the city's Chief Forensic toxicologist, mentioned detecting Xylazine and Bromazolam as well as Medetomidine in decedents of accidental overdoses.

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey has urged the city to test for Medetomidine presence in the local drug supply. He believes that being prepared for this new threat is crucial, given the devastating impact it has had on other cities.

It's important to note that all sources used in this article were thoroughly analyzed for potential biases and factual accuracy. The information provided here is based on credible sources and aims to give a comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand.



Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are all reported cases of Medetomidine-laced fentanyl confirmed through laboratory testing?
  • Could there be other factors contributing to the increase in overdoses?
  • Is the number of hospitalizations and deaths accurate?

Sources

100%

  • Unique Points
    • San Francisco supervisor Matt Dorsey is urging the city to test for Medetomidine, a new opioid that is leading to hundreds of overdoses in multiple cities including San Francisco.
    • Medetomidine is a potent animal tranquilizer that is being laced with fentanyl.
    • Fentanyl took the lives of over 600 people in San Francisco in 2023.
    • More than 600 people were hospitalized from Medetomidine-laced fentanyl in Philadelphia within the last month.
    • UCSF’s Dr. Daniel Ciccarone expressed concern about the sedating effects of combining Medetomidine with fentanyl, increasing the risk for overdose.
    • The San Francisco Medical Examiner’s toxicology lab tests for more than 200 substances in every case.
    • Dr. Luke Rodda, San Francisco’s Chief Forensic toxicologist, mentioned detecting Xylazine and Bromazolam as well as Medetomidine in decedents of accidental overdoses.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

93%

  • Unique Points
    • A new 'zombie' street drug called Medetomidine, which is more deadly than xylazine, is causing overdoses across America.
    • Medetomidine is a powerful animal tranquilizer used on dogs and cats that has been detected in drug supplies in eight states including California, Colorado, Missouri, Illinois, Florida and North Carolina.
    • Medetomidine greatly increases the sedative effects of each drug when mixed with opioids and other substances.
    • Medetomidine can slow the heart rate so much that it becomes unable to pump enough blood, resulting in heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest or sudden death.
    • Medetomidine does not respond to naloxone or Narcan but officials advise using naloxone if someone is suspected to have overdosed because Medetomidine is almost always used alongside opioids.
    • Medetomidine can cause serious effects such as hallucinations and sedation.
    • Medetomidine slows neurological functions in the body, resulting in confusion and lethargy, as well as symptoms of opioid overdose like shallow breathing and small pupils.
  • Accuracy
    • Medetomidine can lead to many of the same shocking side effects as xylazine, including leaving users in a zombified state.
    • Animal studies of the drug have shown that it initially lowers blood pressure and slows heart rate, raising the risk of an abnormality in the heartbeat.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the drug as a 'zombie' drug and stating that it can leave users in a 'zombified state'. This is an appeal to emotion and does not provide any factual evidence or logical reasoning for this claim. The author also states that medetomidine is 200 times more powerful than xylazine without providing any credible source for this claim. This is an example of an exaggerated claim and a potential appeal to authority fallacy if the source of the information is not provided.
    • A new ‘zombie’ street drug that is more deadly than xylazine is causing overdoses across America.
    • But officials say it’s estimated to be 200 times more powerful than xylazine and could lead to many of the same shocking side effects - including leaving users in a zombified state.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author uses the term 'zombie' to describe the effects of medetomidine and xylazine, which is a loaded and biased term that implies extreme or unreasonable behavior. The author also mentions that medetomidine is being mixed with other drugs like fentanyl to create deadly cocktails, implying that those who use these drugs are intentionally seeking out dangerous substances.
    • A new ‘zombie’ street drug that is more deadly than xylazine is causing overdoses across America.
      • But officials say it’s estimated to be 200 times more powerful than xylazine and could lead to many of the same shocking side effects - including leaving users in a zombified state.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      98%

      • Unique Points
        • A synthetic depressant called medetomidine, commonly used by veterinarians, is showing up more often in recreational drug markets around the US, particularly as an adulterant in fentanyl.
        • San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey has urged the city to closely monitor the local drug supply for medetomidine presence.
        • Recently, emergency medicine doctors in Philadelphia noted an uptick in overdoses involving medetomidine, including 160 hospitalizations over four days.
      • Accuracy
        • The concern over medetomidine comes as U.S. overdose deaths dipped 3% in 2023 compared to 2022, the first nationwide decline since 2018.
        • Fentanyl took the lives of over 600 people in San Francisco in 2023.
        • Medetomidine is a potent animal tranquilizer that is being laced with fentanyl.
        • More than 600 people were hospitalized from Medetomidine-laced fentanyl in Philadelphia within the last month.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      92%

      • Unique Points
        • A new opioid, Medetomidine or fentanyl laced with animal tranquilizer, could be present on the streets of San Francisco.
      • Accuracy
        • Hundreds of overdoses have been reported across the country due to this new opioid.
        • Fentanyl took the lives of over 600 people in San Francisco in 2023.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication