NEW YORK (PIX11) – A new drug is appearing on the streets of New York, according to an updated health alert from the New York State Department of Health.

Medetomidine is increasingly being seen in street opioid samples. The DOH reports that, in a year, its presence in opioids has risen from 4 percent to 37 percent.

“Medetomidine impacts the central nervous system and can lead to extreme vomiting and high blood pressure, potentially requiring ICU care. Clinicians should be aware of this clinical syndrome,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “The State Health Department and its Drug Checking Program remain committed to preventing overdoses, ensuring access to needed medical and social services, and protecting the safety of New Yorkers.”

The use of medetomidine, a sedative used by veterinarians, in street drugs is being called “rhino tranq,” The Guardian reported.

What is Medetomidine

The drug is often used as a sedative in veterinary medicine. It has a similar structure to another veterinary drug, xylazine, that has also been found in New York street drugs, according to health officials.

The effects of Medetomidine on people have not been well studied. User-reported symptoms include a slow heart rate, low blood pressure, muscle twitching, feeling cool, and slow breathing, according to the New York State Health Department.

Medetomidine on the rise

“Rhino Tran” (medetomidine) was first identified by the New York State Drug Checking Programs in a sample provided in May 2024.

By October 2024, 23% of opioid samples collected contained the drug. That figure has since increased to 37% and is approaching the levels of xylazine (“Tranq”), which has now been detected in 40 percent of all opioid samples, according to the NYS Health Department.

The use of Medetomidine

In New York’s unregulated drug supply, medetomidine and xylazine are added to fentanyl to extend the drug’s effects.

Is Medetomidine an opioid?

No, the drug is not an opioid, according to the New York DOH.

Suspected medetomidine overdose

If you suspect someone is suffering an overdose, the state health department recommends the following:

  • Administering naloxone.
  • Administer rescue breaths
  • Call 911

For more information on Medetomidine, click here.

For more resources on drug addiction, click here.

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.