New Drug Warning: Medetomidine Linked to Overdose Deaths in Michigan and Other States
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a warning about a new drug called medetomidine, which is linked to overdose deaths in Michigan and other states. The drug, which is not approved for use in people, is a veterinary tranquilizer similar to xylazine that can cause central nervous system depression and death.
According to MDHHS data provided by the Swift Toxicology of Opioid-Related Mortalities (STORM) project at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, there have been three overdose deaths identified by medetomidine during postmortem toxicology testing since March in Ingham, Berrien, and Wayne counties.
Medetomidine is a potent sedative that can cause adverse effects including slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, and decreases in brain and spinal cord activity. Unlike xylazine, medetomidine is not reversed by medications such as naloxone or Narcan.
MDHHS urges local substance use disorder organizations, health care providers, and harm reduction agencies to take the following actions:
- Raise awareness and promote harm reduction practices: medetomidine, like xylazine, may be increasingly found in the illicit drug supply.
- Layer harm reduction strategies to lessen the risk of overdose: take it slow, use less, carry naloxone, do not use alone, monitor breathing.
- Give rescue breaths in case of respiratory depression: to give rescue breaths to adults, make sure the person's airway is clear; place one hand on the person's chin, tilt the head back, and pinch the nose closed. Place your mouth over the person's mouth to make a seal and give two slow breaths. Watch for the person's chest (but not stomach) to rise and follow up with one breath every 5 seconds.
- Explore the Substance Use Vulnerability Index on MDHHS dashboard to start conversations around gaps and barriers that may exist in your community.
Medetomidine is commonly mixed into pills and powders often purchased on the street or from internet black market pharmacies. It is also mixed with fentanyl, xylazine, and other opioids. Traces of medetomidine have been detected in samples derived from used syringes at various Syringe Service Program sites throughout Marion County.
While naloxone does not directly reverse the effects of medetomidine or xylazine, it is recommended to apply Narcan during a suspected overdose since these tranquilizers are usually found in combination with opioid drugs like fentanyl that can be reversed.
Free Narcan can be obtained at various health departments and harm reduction agencies. For more information on how to obtain free Narcan, please contact your local health department or harm reduction agency.
