Medetomidine is a powerful non-opioid sedative showing up as a cut in New Jersey’s street dope supply. Below is what to watch for and how to respond. Check out the bottom of the page for a printable PDF.
What is it?
- A strong non-opioid animal sedative & tranquilizer similar to xylazine (tranq) but much stronger — as much as 100-200x stronger in some cases
- A central nervous system (CNS) depressant, stronger than most people are expecting their bag to be
- Currently emerging as a cut in the street dope supply in New Jersey — including here in New Brunswick, other parts of Middlesex County, and in markets across the state
People who've used dope cut with metetomidine report:
- Instantly falling asleep or unable to stay awake
- Long-lasting, heavy sedation, confusion, dizziness
- Hallucinations and feeling physically stuck but mentally present — described as “sleep paralysis” and “a waking dream”
- Increase in urination (dehydration risk)
- Muscle twitches and erratic body movements
- Shortness of breath or slowed breathing
- Significant drops in blood pressure and heart rate
Withdrawal risks:
- Life threatening increase in heart rate and blood pressure
- Tremors
- Nausea
- Uncontrollable vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Confusing or “not knowing if you’re awake”
Seek hospital care if any of these systems present.
Overdose Response:
- If you think someone is overdosing, respond with rescue breaths and naloxone like normal
- Give rescue breaths before naloxone and try to get them breaking
- If still not breathing, give one low-dose of naloxone
- Right after naloxone dose, give rescue breaths for 2-4 minutes or until they are breathing
- If not breathing after four minutes, give second naloxone done and repeat rescue breathing
- When the person begins to breathe on their own, you gave enough naloxone!
- Move them into the recovery position and monitor breathing until they wake up
- Massage/squeeze their arms and legs (with consent) to prevent muscle atrophy
- When they’re awake, sit them up slowly and encourage them to take it easy for 30-90 minutes until naloxone wears off and their opioid receptors open back up
Harm Reduction Tips:
- Get your drugs checked — knowing what you’re using helps you know how to stay safer while using
- Be mindful of your tolerance and any tolerance changes (e.g. just left jail, hospital, rehab, using less overall)
- Carry naloxone and be confident in how to use it, including rescue breathing!
- If you know or think there’s medetomidine in your drugs, try not to use alone — unpredictable heavy sedation can leave you vulnerable if alone
- If using in a group, take turns and spot each other
- Share this info with your friends and make a safety plan in case of overdose or unwanted sedation
Downloadable One-Pager
Please download, share widely, and reach out with any questions or for additional information about NJHRC’s Community Drug Checking services.
