Published June 24, 2026 at 12:07 PM EDT

Maryland and Baltimore’s Health Departments are warning of an increased threat of a veterinary sedative called Medetomidine detected in the illicit drug supply.

The drug causes severe withdrawal symptoms that can be fatal.

Public health officials sent out a warning earlier this month that the animal sedation medication is becoming the predominant adulterant to opioids and other drugs.

The drug has been in Maryland’s supply since July 2022, but recently has started to show up more often in other drugs.

Maryland’s Rapid Analysis of Drugs, which tests samples of illicit drugs around the state, found about 5.5% of samples contained Medetomidine during the first quarter of 2026.

“Medetomidine is not approved for human use and poses significant health risks as it can result in prolonged sedation and severe withdrawal, especially when combined with opioids or other central nervous system depressants. Medetomidine exposure often requires hospitalization,” the Baltimore City Health Department stated in its advisory.

Withdrawal from Medetomidine is potentially fatal and is extremely uncomfortable for people experiencing it.

“Symptoms include severe vomiting, severe agitation, these shaking rigors that some people say look like seizure activity, because it's really full body shaking. The patients are at pretty high risk for delirium, as well as mutism,” said Dr. Jordan Nahas-Vigon, an expert in addiction medicine at Johns Hopkins.

People who use drugs are encouraged to use test strips to check for the adulterant and to avoid using alone.

They should also seek care early if they have severe vomiting or chest pain.