Utah Task Forces Detect Medetomidine in Illicit Drugs, Warning Naloxone Won’t Reverse the 2022-Emergent Sedative
Updated
Updated · Gephardt Daily · Jul 24
Utah Task Forces Detect Medetomidine in Illicit Drugs, Warning Naloxone Won’t Reverse the 2022-Emergent Sedative
3 articles · Updated · Gephardt Daily · Jul 24
Summary
Utah’s opioid and fentanyl task forces issued a public alert after drug surveillance found medetomidine—a potent veterinary sedative not approved for humans—in the state’s illicit drug supply.
Medetomidine is often mixed with fentanyl, is substantially more potent than xylazine, and cannot itself be reversed by naloxone, though naloxone remains critical because opioids may also be present.
The task forces told responders and the public to call 911, give naloxone, support breathing with rescue breaths if needed, use the recovery position, and keep monitoring until EMS arrives.
First detected in U.S. street drugs in 2022, medetomidine was tied to overdose spikes in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Chicago by 2024 and is now reported nationwide, especially in the Northeast and Midwest.