ASAM Releases Alert About Medetomidine In Illicit Drug Supply
The American Society of Addiction Medicine released an emerging challenge alert for medetomidine, a powerful veterinary sedative that is replacing xylazine as the common adulterant in the drug supply.
Medetomidine is 100 to 200 times more potent than xylazine and leaves patients experiencing severe, prolonged withdrawal symptoms including tachycardia and hypertension as well as nausea, anxiety and delirium in severe cases.
Naloxone is still an effective antidote to overdose, though patients may not become responsive right away.
The Missouri Hospital Association is a nonprofit association in Jefferson City that represents 136 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.