Medetomidine found in drug stockpile

ALBANY, NY (NEXSTAR) — The New York State Department of Health (DOH) issued an alert to the public on Friday, June 21. Officials identified a powerful synthetic animal tranquilizer in drug samples in Central New York and the Capital Region.

The health department said its partners at ACR Health in Syracuse and Catholic Charities in Schenectady found the dangerous cocktail. Lab results confirmed medetomidine in two samples. The first sample, which also contained fentanyl, was collected in Schenectady on May 24.

On June 5, the second sample was collected in Syracuse. This sample may be linked to two non-fatal overdoses.

“Medetomidine affects the central nervous system and is extremely dangerous when combined with other substances,” wrote Dr. James McDonald, DOH Commissioner, in the public health alert. The DOH also pointed out that medetomidine is considered more effective than xylazine, which is also known as “Tranq.”

The Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) issued a public health alert on May 31 warning that medetomidine poses a new threat to the American drug supply. It described “mass overdose outbreaks” linked to medetomidine in Philadelphia, Chicago and Pittsburgh that could not be reversed with naloxone.

When OASAS issued the alert, medetomidine had not yet been found within New York City limits. On Friday, an OASAS spokesperson said, “Although medetomidine is not an opioid and does not respond to naloxone, naloxone should still be administered to individuals suspected of overdosing. In addition to administering naloxone and providing ventilation, emergency systems should be alerted as soon as possible.”

According to OASAS, the effects of the drug are increased when combined with opioids. These include slowed breathing, slowed heart rate, high or low blood pressure, poor circulation and heart failure.

According to an even earlier public warning from the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, the drug was first observed in Maryland in the United States in late 2022. It then spread to Missouri, Colorado, Pennsylvania and California in 2023.

Outside of Syracuse and Schenectady, drug screening programs also exist in Albany, the Bronx, Hauppauge, Ithaca, Johnson City, Plattsburgh, Utica and Watertown. They use a spectroscopy device and test strips to identify residues.