Three Deadly Overdoses Linked to New Animal Tranquilizer Medetomidine: Health Departments Warn of Dangerous Mix with Fentanyl and Heroin

Detroit, Michigan, Michigan, United States United States of America
Health departments are urging awareness and distribution of drug test strips to help identify the presence of medetomidine in illicit substances.
Medetomidine is a powerful sedative used in veterinary medicine that has been linked to overdose deaths when mixed with fentanyl or heroin.
The drug cannot be reversed by naloxone or Narcan, which have been used to reverse overdoses for other drugs.
Three people have died from overdoses involving medetomidine since March 2024.
Three Deadly Overdoses Linked to New Animal Tranquilizer Medetomidine: Health Departments Warn of Dangerous Mix with Fentanyl and Heroin

Health departments in the Midwest are issuing warnings about a new deadly animal tranquilizer called medetomidine that has been linked to overdose deaths.

Medetomidine is a powerful sedative used in veterinary medicine to keep animals sedated during exams and medical procedures. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this use in 2022.

However, the drug has been found to be deadly when mixed with other substances, such as fentanyl or heroin, which are often used illicitly.

According to reports from Michigan and Indiana health departments, at least three people have died from overdoses involving medetomidine since March 2024. The drug is most commonly detected alongside these other substances.

Medetomidine causes a decrease in heart rate, increasing the chance of developing an irregular heartbeat. It cannot be reversed by naloxone or Narcan, which have been used to reverse overdoses for other drugs.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Indiana Department of Health are urging awareness and distribution of drug test strips to help identify the presence of medetomidine in illicit substances.

Health departments in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Chicago have also reported outbreaks of overdoses involving medetomidine.

It is important for individuals who use drugs and their loved ones to be aware of this new and dangerous drug. If an overdose is suspected, naloxone should still be administered as it may help reverse the effects of other substances present in the illicit substance.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are there any reported cases of medetomidine overdoses outside of the Midwest?
  • Is it confirmed that medetomidine is the sole cause of death in these cases, or could other substances be contributing?
  • What is the exact mechanism by which medetomidine interacts with fentanyl and heroin to cause fatal overdoses?

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Midwest health departments warn of new deadly animal tranquilizer’s emergence

The Hill News Site: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate-seethe-republicans-call-for-israeli-elections/ Lauren Irwin Friday, 07 June 2024 21:12
  • Unique Points
    • Midwest health departments have issued warnings about the emergence of a new deadly animal tranquilizer called medetomidine.
    • Three overdose deaths linked to medetomidine have occurred in Michigan since March 2024.
    • Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the chief medical executive for Michigan, has urged awareness and distribution of drug test strips.
  • Accuracy
    • Medetomidine causes a decrease in an animal’s heart rate and increases the chance of developing an irregular heartbeat.
    • The FDA approved medetomidine in 2022.
  • 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

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Indiana Department of Health warning of emergence of new drug

WANE 15 Sierra Tufts Wednesday, 05 June 2024 14:41
  • Unique Points
    • Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is warning about the emergence of a new drug called medetomidine.
    • Medetomidine has only been detected in returned syringes at Marion County Syringe Service Program sites so far.
    • Medetomidine has been connected to an outbreak of overdoses and adverse effects in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Chicago in 2024.
  • Accuracy
    • The drug was first approved by the FDA in 1996 (or 2022) for veterinary use as a sedative and analgesic for dogs.
    • Medetomidine has been detected mixed with illicit substances such as fentanyl, xylazine, heroin and fentanyl analogs.
    • Naloxone may not be fully reversing an overdose with medetomidine, but it should still be administered if an overdose is suspected.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author is providing accurate and factual information about the Indiana Department of Health warning regarding the emergence of a new drug called medetomidine. The author does not commit any logical fallacies in her article. However, she does make an appeal to authority by mentioning that the IDOH has identified medetomidine in returned syringes and that it has been connected to an outbreak of overdoses and adverse effects in multiple states.
    • The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is warning about the emergence of a new drug. It's called medetomidine, a non-opioid sedative used in veterinary medicine.
    • Medetomidine has been identified in multiple states. Specifically, it's been connected to an outbreak of overdoses and adverse effects in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Chicago in 2024.
  • 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

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

A second animal tranquilizer has infiltrated the state's street drugs, making deadly mark

Detroit Free Press Georgea Kovanis Thursday, 06 June 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • A new and deadly drug, medetomidine, has been identified in at least three overdose deaths in Michigan since March.
    • Medetomidine is a non-opioid animal tranquilizer not approved for human use.
    • Three people died from drug overdoses involving medetomidine in Wayne, Ingham and Berrien counties.
  • Accuracy
    • Medetomidine is often cut into fentanyl or what passes for heroin.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author makes several statements that are true and provide important information about the new drug medetomidine. She correctly reports on the findings of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regarding three overdose deaths caused by medetomidine. The author also accurately describes how medetomidine is being cut into other drugs, its effects on the body, and that it cannot be reversed by Narcan. However, there are a few instances where the author uses inflammatory rhetoric to describe the drug as 'new and deadly' and 'deadly layer.' While this may be true in context, it is an unnecessary exaggeration that can create fear without providing additional information or context.
    • A new and deadly drug has hit the streets in Michigan
    • It is more potent than xylazine
  • 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