"Medetomidine, a tranquilizer intended for use only in animals, is being found in 80 per cent of fentanyl samples tested by Toronto's Drug Checking Service, which provides community members with information about the contents of their drugs. Hayley Thompson, managing director of Toronto's Drug Checking Service, says medetomidine is being mixed with fentanyl, a short acting opioid, because of the belief that it enhances its sedative effects. Medetomidine, also known as rhino tranq, was first detected in the city's drug supply in December 2023."
"Naloxone, which is used to reverse opioid overdoses, can reverse the effects of fentanyl but it will not reverse the effects of medetomidine. "What we see is a fentanyl supply that is becoming increasingly volatile, increasingly toxic. And we're sort of an early warning system here where we are telling folks about these new contaminants," Thompson said. Thompson said when fentanyl was first detected in Toronto, it was a contaminant of heroin."
Medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer also called rhino tranq, has been detected in Toronto's unregulated drug supply since December 2023. Toronto's Drug Checking Service reports medetomidine appears in about 80% of fentanyl samples they tested. The drug is being mixed with fentanyl, reportedly to enhance sedative effects. Both medetomidine and fentanyl depress consciousness and breathing, making overdoses harder to reverse. Naloxone can reverse fentanyl but does not counteract medetomidine. Community workers report rising concern and hospitalizations. The drug checking service calls the fentanyl supply increasingly volatile and urges coordinated provincial action to address the toxic opioid supply.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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