Toxic Adulterant Alert: Medetomidine/Dexmedetomidine

Medetomidine (Domitor®) has recently been identified as an adulterant in illicit drug material. Since July 2022, it has been detected in several seized drug samples across the state of Maryland, and in drug paraphernalia and illicit drug seizures submitted to public health and law enforcement agencies. It was most frequently observed in samples containing fentanyl and xylazine, though medetomidine has also been identified together with fentanyl analogs, heroin, and cocaine. Medetomidine has also been detected in overdoses in St. Louis and clandestine laboratory seizures in Ohio, Florida, and Canada. It is typically a minor component in the these samples, but is of toxicological concern.
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