Montreal health officials issued a warning about the presence of animal sedatives in the city’s illegal drug supply, heightening the risk of overdoses. The Direction régionale de santé publique (DRSP) revealed that medetomidine and xylazine have been increasingly detected in recent weeks.
These animal sedatives, when combined with opioids like fentanyl and benzodiazepines, can significantly raise the chances of overdose, according to authorities. Samples from police seizures and drug testing services in Montreal have shown the presence of these sedatives, confirmed by Health Canada’s laboratory analysis.
Geneviève Paradis, a spokesperson for the health authority, highlighted the detection of medetomidine in blood and/or urine samples from drug users. Medetomidine and xylazine are commonly used as sedatives and painkillers in veterinary medicine.
Individuals intoxicated with these animal sedatives may experience symptoms such as bradycardia, hypotension, respiratory depression leading to respiratory arrest, extreme drowsiness, reduced responsiveness to stimuli, and hyperglycemia.
Although naloxone, used to counteract opioid overdoses, is ineffective against medetomidine and xylazine, it is still advised in suspected cases of overdose. Quick medical intervention, including a 911 call, may be crucial, especially in cases of mixed overdoses unresponsive to naloxone.
In such situations, hospital care for managing cardiac or respiratory effects could be necessary, as stated in the news release.
