Medetomidine
Medetomidine (including Dexmedetomidine)
Medetomidine is a veterinary tranquilizer commonly used in medicine to sedate animals. This drug has found its way into the illicit drug supply, posing significant risks to human health.
DEA has seen a surge in medetomidine found in fentanyl seizures. This synthetic drug is being mixed into the illicit drug supply making these substances more dangerous and deadlier than ever before.
Medetomidine appears to be increasingly associated with opioid overdoses and detected more frequently drug seizures.
Public Safety Alert – Dangers of Medetomidine
Drug Enforcement Administration Releases Public Safety Alert Video on the Dangers of Veterinary Medicine Mixed with Fentanyl
DEA Forensic Sciences Medetomidine Report (March 2023)
Medetomidine Infiltrates the US Illicit Opioid Market
Medetomidine, a common veterinary sedative and analgesic, appears to be increasingly associated with opioid overdoses and detected more frequently in drug seizures. Medetomidine has not been approved for use in humans, and has been associated with bradycardia, reduced cardiac output, and decreased respiration in animal studies. When combined with fentanyl, it can be deadly to humans.
Xylazine
Similar to Medetomidine, the DEA warned the public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use. Read the Public Safety Alert.
