BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Officials are sounding the alarm about a new chemical that may be found in the local illicit drug supply.
Researchers at the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute have found samples of chemical drugs like fentanyl to also have medetomidine.
The presence of the drug is thought to replace xylazine, nicknamed “tranq,” though some samples of fentanyl also had tranq in addition to medetomidine.
The drug is currently approved as a sedative for veterinarian use, not on humans, and is between 200 and 300 times stronger than xylazine.
Nicknamed “rhino tranq,” “mede” or “dex,” the drug can cause extreme sleepiness, slow heart rate and low blood pressure.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services says that Narcan does not work on the drug, which when combined with fentanyl, can be extremely dangerous.
The institute says the chemical has been showing up in the state’s drug supply since 2025, though a sharp spike in the second half of last year shows 100% of fentanyl tested has the new substance.
Using Narcan is still recommended if someone stops breathing as it will work on any opioids in the system.
