Public health officials in Michigan are sounding the alarm over a veterinary tranquilizer, medetomidine, that's been linked to a series of fatal overdoses in the state. As reported by WWJ Newsradio, this drug, used primarily on animals, is not sanctioned for human use but has been responsible for at least three deaths in Wayne, Ingham, and Berrien Counties since March. It has been detected in the bodies of those who succumbed to opioid overdoses alongside potent manufactured drugs like fentanyl.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), with data from the Swift Toxicology of Opioid Related Mortalities (STORM) project, has listed several reasons for concern, notably because medetomidine induces central nervous system depression, which can be fatal, and, like xylazine, its effects cannot be reversed by typical opioid antagonists like naloxone or Narcan. Complicating the challenge of addressing this emergent threat, testing strips designed to detect medetomidine are not yet available.

According to Michigan's Health & Human Services, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the department's chief medical executive, expressed the urgency of awareness: "Medetomidine is considered more potent than xylazine and we want to make sure Michigan residents are aware of this new and dangerous drug showing up in overdose deaths in our state," she said.

Despite the lack of an antidote for medetomidine's effects, Dr. Bagdasarian still encourages, as per Michigan's Health & Human Services, "we continue to urge individuals who use drugs and their loved ones to carry naloxone to prevent overdose." The MDHHS has put forth several strategies to combat this trend, including the increased distribution of naloxone and the raising of public awareness regarding the harms posed by this drug. They also suggest practices such as taking drugs more slowly, using in smaller quantities, and never using alone, as well as, providing education on the administration of rescue breaths during an episode of respiratory depression.

To support community efforts against this and other drug threats, MDHHS is offering resources such as free naloxone and educational material on harm reduction. They are also inviting feedback via the contact email [email protected] for any additional instances of medetomidine-related overdoses or exposures reported since January 2024. As the situation evolves, the department vows to keep monitoring data and communicate new findings to the public and healthcare professionals.