A new danger has emerged in the illegal drug supply: medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer not intended for human use. This potent sedative, which is more powerful than xylazine or 'tranq,' has been linked to multiple deadly overdoses throughout the Midwest and Northeast.
First detected in Chicago last month, medetomidine has also been found in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The drug slows down breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and decreases activity in the brain and spinal cord. It can cause central nervous system depression leading to death.
Medetomidine is often mixed with opioids like fentanyl or heroin to prolong a user's high for at least three hours. However, this dangerous combination increases the risk of overdose and death.
Health officials are urging individuals who use drugs and their loved ones to be aware of this new threat. They recommend carrying naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, as well as practicing harm reduction strategies such as taking it slow, using less product, monitoring breathing, and avoiding use while alone.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has identified medetomidine in three overdose deaths since March 2024. In a statement, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS's chief medical executive, said:
