Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

Read the full report from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (pdf)

• Since medetomidine was detected in the illicit fentanyl supply, the number of people presenting for
  withdrawal treatment to Philadelphia’s emergency department has more than doubled.
• Medetomidine withdrawal syndrome is a severe consequence of substance use often requiring
  admission to an intensive care unit for treatment.
• Triaging patients with suspected medetomidine withdrawal requires early initiation of alpha-2-agonist and
  long-acting opioid treatments and frequent monitoring.
• Responding to opioid overdoses involving medetomidine should prioritize breathing over
  responsiveness.
• Use of low-dose naloxone is preferred for overdose reversal.
• Medetomidine is more prevalent in Philadelphia’s illicit fentanyl supply than xylazine.
• Medetomidine use has not been shown to be associated with wounds.

Read the full report from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (pdf)