A sample of nitazene powder, a drug more potent than fentanyl, is examined at the Center for Forensic Science Research, a toxicology lab in Montgomery County, where a person recently died of an overdose involving a nitazene analogue.The animal tranquilizer xylazine’s spread into Philadelphia’s illicit opioid supply has introduced new hazards to an already-dangerous drug crisis, sending people in addiction intoNow, another veterinary sedative more potent than xylazine has emerged.
“Our health alert is really to inform clinicians about this new drug in the drug supply, and how to be aware of some of the symptoms they might expect and how to manage it.” That testing took place about the same time that patients visited Philadelphia hospitals with “prolonged sedation,” a low heart rate, and low blood pressure — all symptoms that could suggest they had taken medetomidine.
Xylazine can cause skin sores that are quick to open and slow to heal. These wounds are not limited to the sites of injection, as is typical with other injection drug use. Xylazine was recently categorized as a “schedule III” drug in Pennsylvania, which increased restrictions on its sale and usage. Health officials are watching for new threats in the drug supply as regulations change and dealers and distributors react.