Office of National Drug Control Policy, CDC Release Health Advisory on Medetomidine in Illicit Fentanyl

The White House

“Rhino Tranq” Found in Illicit Fentanyl at Increasing Rate; Leads to Severe Withdrawal Symptoms in Users

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory warning of increasing reports of medetomidine in illicit fentanyl. The frequency at which medetomidine, also known as “rhino tranq,” “mede,” or “dex,” has been detected in illicit drug seizures has risen from 247 in 2023 to 8,233 in 2025, primarily in the Northeast and Midwest United States.

“The public health community, as well as those who put themselves at risk of overdose due to illegal drug use, need to be aware of ever-evolving dangers,” says Director of National Drug Control Policy Sara Carter. “Under President Trump, we’re working tirelessly to save American lives and families from the tragedy of losing a loved one to overdose. Medetomidine represents a real threat to communities, and this once again reaffirms that the only safe level of illegal drug use is zero.”

Medetomidine is a sedative and analgesic not approved for human use. Symptoms of medetomidine intoxication include:

  • Marked bradycardia (heart rates as low as 32 beats per minute)
  • Hypotension
  • Profound, and often prolonged, sedation

Stopping medetomidine following regular use may result in severe withdrawal symptoms, such as:

  • Tachycardia (heartbeat faster than 100 beats per minute)
  • Severe hypertension
  • Fluctuating alertness
  • Tremor
  • Chest Pain
  • Intractable nausea and vomiting

In response, CDC has issued a series of recommendations for public health professionals, clinicians, laboratorians, and people at risk for overdose.

The HAN Health Advisory can be found here. The CDC Medetomidine Situation Summary can be found here.

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