In a startling revelation, Michigan health officials have issued a warning after identifying a veterinary tranquilizer, medetomidine, in at least three overdose deaths in the state since March. The Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported that these deaths occurred in Ingham, Berrien, and Wayne counties.

Medetomidine, a drug not approved for human use, is known to cause nervous system depression and can be fatal. Its adverse effects include slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, and decreases in brain and spinal cord activity. What makes medetomidine particularly alarming is that it is similar to xylazine, a drug that cannot be reversed by medications like naloxone or Narcan. Moreover, testing strips to detect its presence are not yet available.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, emphasized that these tranquilizers are commonly found in combination with opioid drugs, such as fentanyl. As a result, she strongly advises individuals who use drugs and their loved ones to carry naloxone to prevent overdose.

The overdose deaths were reported by the Swift Toxicology of Opioid Related Mortalities project of Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Testing in each case also revealed the presence of fentanyl and other potent manufactured drugs in the victims' systems.

In light of this alarming discovery, state health officials are urging local substance use disorder organizations, health care providers, and harm reduction agencies to raise awareness about the presence of medetomidine in Michigan, potentially even within the illicit drug supply. They stress the importance of harm reduction strategies for individuals using illicit substances, including taking it slow, using smaller quantities, carrying naloxone, avoiding consumption while alone, and monitoring breathing.

MDHHS is closely monitoring the situation and remains vigilant for any additional overdose deaths attributed to medetomidine. The lack of testing strips to detect the drug's presence adds further complexity to the ongoing battle against substance abuse and overdose-related deaths in the state of Michigan.