Unprecedented Danger: The Rising Threat of Medetomidine in Michigan’s Opioid Crisis

In Michigan, residents are being warned about the dangers of a new drug called medetomidine. This veterinary tranquilizer is similar to xylazine, a powerful sedative used in veterinary medicine. It has been linked to overdose deaths and is often mixed with fentanyl in the illicit drug trade, according to law enforcement agencies.

Medetomidine can cause serious adverse effects such as slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, and decreases in brain and spinal cord activity. It is not approved for use in humans. Since March, three overdose deaths in Michigan have been linked to medetomidine during toxicology testing, according to data provided by the Swift Toxicology of Opioid Related Mortalities project at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. These deaths occurred in Ingham, Berrien, and Wayne counties, with fentanyl and other potent manufactured drugs also being identified in the toxicology reports.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the chief medical executive, emphasized the danger of medetomidine, stating that it is more potent than xylazine and should be taken seriously. She urged Michigan residents to be aware of this new drug and its risks, especially when combined with opioids like fentanyl. While naloxone may not directly reverse the effects of medetomidine or xylazine, it can still be effective in preventing overdose when combined with opioid drugs.

To combat the dangers of medetomidine and other dangerous drugs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is advising local organizations, health care providers