The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has confirmed an increasing presence of medetomidine in the New Jersey (NJ) illicit opioid/fentanyl supply through various data sources. Medetomidine is a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer (alpha-2 agonist) similar to xylazine, but 100-200 times more potent. It is not U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for human consumption.
The purpose of this health alert is to bring awareness to the prevalence of medetomidine and its health risks to NJ hospitals, healthcare providers, and community-based partners who may encounter patients who have used substances adulterated with medetomidine. Attached to this health alert are two resources with information about medetomidine risks, overdose response, harm reduction practices and treatment protocols.
Questions about this Health Alert can be directed to Amanda Gan at the New Jersey Department of Health at Amanda.Gan@doh.nj.gov.
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