We have another emerging danger in the drug supply—Medetomidine—& it’s already made its way into Maryland. In fact, Maryland was the first state in the U.S. to detect Medetomidine in the illicit drug supply back in July 2022. If you thought Xylazine was bad, buckle up—this is just as scary, if not worse.
What is Medetomidine?
Medetomidine is (mainly) a veterinary sedative, just like Xylazine. But unlike Xylazine, it’s also approved for human use in ICU settings. It’s used to sedate critically ill patients, often those on ventilators. In the right hands, it’s a powerful medical tool that helps so many. In the wrong hands—like when it’s mixed into street drugs—it’s downright dangerous.
Why is Medetomidine in Street Drugs?
Like Xylazine, Medetomidine isn’t an opioid, which means Narcan (Naloxone) won’t reverse it. Drug organizations are always looking for ways to skirt detection & laws, & this is just an example of them doing such. But here’s what makes it even scarier:
– It’s an extremely powerful central nervous system depressant—it can drop blood pressure & slow breathing even more than Xylazine.
– People are going down faster, harder, & staying under longer—& in some cases, they’re not waking up at all.
– It’s already in Maryland’s supply, just like it’s been creeping into other areas. Most people don’t even know they’re using it.
Medetomidine has been found in fentanyl & other opioids, making overdoses even more unpredictable & harder to reverse. (CDC Report)
How is Medetomidine Different from Xylazine?
– Both are veterinary sedatives, but Medetomidine is even stronger in terms of sedation. It also is approved in humans & used in ICU settings.
– Both are not opioids, meaning Narcan won’t work on them.
– Medetomidine causes even greater drops in blood pressure & respiratory depression, making overdoses deadlier.
– Xylazine is known for causing skin wounds—we don’t yet know if Medetomidine will do the same, but early reports suggest it could be just as harmful.
What Can You Do as Somebody In Active Use to Stay Safe?
✅ Use test strips. Medetomidine test strips are becoming more & more available. You can get them from your local NEP/HRO, or online. Here are a few sites they have them, as well as other harm reduction items & info:
• Local harm reduction groups (check with NEXT Distro)
✅ Never use alone. With something this strong in the supply, having someone nearby to monitor breathing & call for help if needed can mean the difference between life & death.
✅ Recognize the signs. If someone isn’t waking up, isn’t responding to Narcan, or has extremely low blood pressure, this could be Medetomidine or Xylazine. Medical teams need to know Narcan alone won’t work so they can provide the right treatment.
✅ Spread the word. Too many lives have already been lost to Xylazine. We can’t let Medetomidine become the next crisis without people even knowing it exists.
✅ If ready, take that next step. There has never been more options available than ever in addiction treatment. Whether you’re looking for a traditional abstinence based rehab, a medical detox, or a MAT clinic, there are many ways to accommodate somebody’s needs to recovery- no matter the obstacles.
At the end of the day, harm reduction saves lives. The more we educate, test, & advocate for a safer supply, the better chance we have of keeping people alive long enough to find recovery—on their own terms.
Where to Find Help & Information
Maryland Health Authorities:
• Maryland Department of Health: health.maryland.gov
For Local Overdose Data & Drug Trends:
• Contact local health departments for county-specific info
Queen Anne’s County Health Dept: (410) 758-0720 | 206 N. Commerce St, Centreville, MD
• Check state public health dashboards for updated reports
• Submit a data request to MDH for toxicology trends
More on Medetomidine’s Presence in Maryland:
Stay safe. Stay informed. Keep looking out for each other. We’re here when you’re ready❤️
