A new ‘zombie’ street drug more potent than xylazine is causing a surge in overdoses across America. Health officials in multiple states are sounding the alarm as medetomidine, a powerful animal tranquilizer, infiltrates drug supplies.
New ‘Zombie’ Drug Wreaks Havoc Across America
A potent new street drug, medetomidine, is causing a wave of overdoses in the United States. Originating as an animal tranquilizer, this substance has surfaced in Chicago and eight other states.
Animal Sedative Turns Deadly in Human Use
Medetomidine, used on pets, is now part of a lethal mix with fentanyl and other drugs. Similar to xylazine, it intensifies the sedative effects, leading to deadly outcomes.
A More Potent Threat Than Xylazine
Officials report medetomidine to be 200 times more powerful than xylazine. Users are left in a zombified state, with severe side effects.
The Cost of a Deadly Dose
Developed by Orion Pharmacy and distributed by Pfizer, five milligrams of medetomidine costs around $43. When combined with opioids, it drastically enhances their sedative impact.
Medetomidine in Drug Cocktails
Frequently found with fentanyl and xylazine, medetomidine also appears in heroin and cocaine samples. The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education has noted its presence in multiple states.
Dangerous Effects on the Heart
Animal studies reveal that medetomidine lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate. High doses can cause heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest, or sudden death.
Ineffectiveness of Naloxone
Unlike opioids, medetomidine doesn’t respond to naloxone or Narcan. Nonetheless, officials still recommend using naloxone if an overdose is suspected, due to the frequent combination with opioids.
Severe Neurological and Physical Impacts
The drug causes hallucinations and significant sedation, slowing neurological functions. Symptoms include confusion, lethargy, shallow breathing, and small pupils.
Longer-lasting Effects
Medetomidine’s effects are believed to last longer than those of xylazine. Its variants, such as Dexdor or Precedex, are used for medical sedation and muscle relaxation in humans.
Traces Found Across Multiple States
First detected in Maryland in July 2022, medetomidine reappeared in Toronto in December 2023. It has also been found in overdoses in St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
Seizures in Secret Laboratories
Authorities have discovered medetomidine in secret lab seizures across Ohio, Florida, and Canada. Its presence in the illegal drug supply continues to spread, raising alarm nationwide.
Medetomidine Found in Indianapolis
Health officials in Indianapolis have raised alarms about medetomidine appearing in local drug supplies. This dangerous trend mirrors similar findings in other states.
New Drug Combinations Concern Researchers
Harvard Medical School’s Bertha Madras expressed concerns about Mexican cartels and U.S. drug gangs creating potent synthetic drug mixtures. These combinations pose significant risks as they hit the streets.
Recent Overdoses in Chicago Highlight New Threat
Between May 11 and May 14, Chicago saw a spike in overdoses linked to high levels of medetomidine. Health officials noted that this drug had not been previously detected in the state.
Mixed Sedatives Found in Chicago Samples
Drug samples in Chicago contained a mix of opioid and non-opioid sedatives, including fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, alprazolam, and netizens. These combinations intensify the effects of medetomidine.
DEA Alarm Over Xylazine
In March 2023, the DEA issued a warning about xylazine, another animal sedative. Used as a cutting agent, xylazine enhances the effects of street drugs but leads to severe health issues.
‘Tranq’ Turns Users Into Zombies
Known as ‘tranq,’ xylazine causes users to develop painful sores and zombie-like symptoms. In extreme cases, the drug’s damage to blood vessels necessitates amputation.
Slight Drop in Overdose Fatalities
CDC data revealed a slight decrease in fatal overdoses last year, with an estimated 107,500 deaths in the year to December 2023. This marks a three percent drop from 2022.
Possible Reasons for Decline
The decline in overdose deaths may be due to expanded prevention and treatment efforts. However, the grim reality might be that the epidemic has already claimed many lives, leaving fewer people at risk.
