The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is warning Michigan residents and healthcare providers about medetomidine, a new drug identified in overdose deaths across the state.
Medetomidine is a veterinary tranquilizer, similar to xylazine, that can cause adverse effects including slowed heart rate, low blood pressure and decreases in brain and spinal cord activity. It is not approved for use in people.
Three deaths in Michigan have been reported with involvement of medetomidine, all identified via the Swift Toxicology of Opioid Related Mortalities project at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, who began testing for medetomidine in January 2024. Deaths have occurred in Berrien, Ingham and Wayne counties. All three decedents also tested positive for fentanyl.
The usage of this drug brings concerns due to:
- Medetomidine can cause central nervous system depression and death.
- Like xylazine, medetomidine is not reversed by medications such as naloxone or Narcan.
- Unlike xylazine, testing strips are not yet available to detect this particular drug.
Healthcare providers, local substance use disorder organizations and harm reduction agencies are urged to follow MDHHS recommendations.
The Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center provides details on the drug and shares that the effects of medetomidine are reportedly more potent, selective and longer acting than those associated with xylazine.
Due to most hospital laboratories not having real time medetomidine toxicology testing, clinicians are urged to rely on clinical presentation, signs/symptoms, lab work and diagnostic results.
Members with questions may contact Gary Roth, DO, FACOS, FCCM, FACS or Amy Brown MSN, RN, NE-BC at the MHA.