Veterinary sedative discovered in Utah's street drugs, cannot be reversed by Narcan - KUTV

What the report says

KUTV 2News reported that Utah’s opioid and fentanyl task forces have identified medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, in the state’s illegal drug supply. The Salt Lake City-based report, published July 23, cited the Utah Department of Public Safety as saying the substance has appeared in U.S. street drugs since 2022 and has been associated with increased overdose concerns.

According to the report, medetomidine is not an opioid, meaning naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, does not reverse its effects. State officials said that does not make naloxone irrelevant: medetomidine may be mixed with fentanyl or other opioids, so naloxone can still counter those opioid components during an overdose response.

DPS and the Utah Opioid Task Force and Utah Fentanyl Task Force said the finding highlights the need for surveillance, public education and ready access to overdose-prevention tools. Their guidance for a suspected overdose includes calling 911, giving naloxone, supporting breathing, using rescue breaths if needed, placing a breathing person in the recovery position and staying with the person until emergency responders arrive.

The development matters because it reflects a changing illicit drug market in which non-opioid sedatives may complicate overdose response. Based on the information reported by KUTV, Utah officials are emphasizing that the core response remains the same even when newer substances are present: seek emergency help, use naloxone when opioids may be involved, and focus on maintaining breathing while waiting for medical care.