A substance that’s been causing chaos in emergency rooms across several states is now showing up in North Carolina’s street drug supply, as reported by scientists from the University of North Carolina’s Street Drug Analysis Lab.
This substance, known as medetomidine, is raising alarms among public health officials and addiction specialists who point out that withdrawal can pose serious health risks.
Experts in street drugs note that medetomidine has overwhelmed emergency departments in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. North Carolina hasn’t hit that crisis point yet, but they’re keeping a close watch.
A survivor’s warning: Woman says she nearly lost her hand to drug addiction
For individuals like Alexis West, this issue strikes a personal chord. Her own battles with addiction have left her with noticeable physical reminders.
“I’ve faced a lot,” West reflected. “There have been good days, but it’s mostly been a tough road. I turned to drugs to escape everything.”
West mentioned that a near-loss of her hand became a pivotal moment, pushing her toward recovery through Edgecombe County’s Emergency Paramedic Program. This experience also led her to street drug testing initiatives that clarified the actual contents of what she was using.
“You think you know what you’re taking, but it can be so different,” she noted.
Edgecombe County sends drug samples to UNC’s lab, where scientists analyze substances circulating in the community and share results with health officials and outreach programs.
West recounted that what she thought was fentanyl often contained various other substances.
“Half the names are hard to even pronounce. It’s concerning to put drugs in your body, and it’s scary because you don’t really know what they are,” she added.
What is medetomidine?
The lab has confirmed the presence of medetomidine, which first surfaced in North Carolina’s drug scene in 2022. One sample collected in Tarboro in April showed it mixed with several other substances in what researchers called a “messy brew.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes medetomidine as an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist sedative, more potent and longer-lasting than clonidine and xylazine. It was initially identified in the illegal drug market in 2021, according to the CDC.
Notably, medetomidine isn’t approved for human use but is permitted for use in dogs. It’s sometimes referred to as “rhino tranq,” “mede,” or “dex.”
“It’s kind of like a fraternal twin to a molecule called xylazine that we’ve seen in North Carolina for a few years; just a few atoms different,” explained UNC Street Drug Scientist Nabarun Dasgupta.
He also warned that these small molecular variations can have serious implications, especially if someone abruptly stops using the drug.
“If someone goes cold turkey, they’re at serious risk of a heart attack and might end up in the ICU for a week,” he cautioned.
The CDC notes that medetomidine can cause significant sedation and cardiovascular issues. Abrupt cessation after regular use can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and fluctuating levels of consciousness, which may require emergency care.
Given that fentanyl is often associated with medetomidine overdoses, the CDC recommends using overdose reversal medications to restore normal breathing in suspected cases.
Stopping the spread of medetomidine
Dasgupta believes that enhancing education and drug-testing tools could help limit the spread of medetomidine before it escalates in North Carolina.
“I think it’s time to get creative,” Dasgupta stated. “There are inexpensive test strips that can reveal if drugs contain medetomidine. We’re encouraging people to educate themselves about this, to use those test strips. If they begin to notice their supplies frequently contaminated with medetomidine, it might be the moment to reconsider their drug use patterns.”
As medetomidine makes its way into drug samples across the state, researchers and recovery advocates stress that awareness is vital to avert a larger public health crisis.
