Veterinary Medicine Showing Up In Street Drugs

(WPXI) – A new sedative used in veterinary medicine is showing up in street drugs, leading to severe health complications and frequent intensive care unit admissions, local emergency physicians warn. Medetomidine is the latest drug to be found mixed into opioids sold on the street. “Almost never would we have to admit or hospitalize someone for the treatment of opioid withdrawal prior to October 2024,” said Dr. Simon Ostrowski, an emergency medicine physician with UPMC. “Since then, we are regularly hospitalizing people for opioid withdrawal treatment — and not just hospitalizing them, but in the intensive care unit.” UPMC is currently admitting multiple patients to the ICU daily as a result of withdrawal symptoms. Physicians note that Narcan, a common opioid overdose reversal medication, is largely ineffective against the sedative — similar to the challenges faced with xylazine. “It’s very difficult to reverse,” said Dr. Brent Rau, ER medical director at Allegheny General Hospital. “Like in the case of xylazine there were severe skin reactions, severe wounds that can develop, that can cause amputations and other issues. It does feel like every year it’s something new.” There is currently no rapid test available in hospitals to detect medetomidine, which makes diagnosis and treatment more challenging.