DETROIT, Mich. – Public health officials warn fentanyl is now being combined with new substances that aren’t approved for human use and are often undetectable to the user.
The drug has increasingly been mixed with dangerous synthetic substances xylazine, nitazenes, cychlorphine and medetomidine.
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Xylazine and medetomidine are used by veterinarians to sedate animals.
Nitazenes and cychlorphine are potent, unregulated, synthetic opioids.
Dangers of these synthetic drugs
Emerging synthetic drugs can be significantly more powerful than fentanyl and greatly increase the risk of suffering a fatal overdose.
Substances are frequently mixed into counterfeit pills or fentanyl powder without the user’s knowledge.
Drugs like xylazine and medetomidine are not opioids, meaning naloxone (commonly known by brand Narcan) may not fully reverse their effects, complicating overdose response.
Other synthetics, such as nitazenes and cychlorphine, might require several doses of naloxone to be effective.
Xylazine has been linked to devastating soft tissue damage, infections, and prolonged sedation, while other synthetics can cause rapid respiratory depression and death.
Public Safety Guidance
Never take a pill that wasn’t prescribed to you and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
Assume all illicit drugs may contain fentanyl or other deadly additives.
Carry naloxone and be trained in how to use it but understand it may not fully reverse all
substances present.
Call 911 immediately in any suspected drug poisoning or overdose. Time is critical.
Stay informed and spread awareness. This threat is evolving rapidly
The illicit drug supply is more unpredictable and more lethal than ever before,” said DEA Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph O. Dixon.
Public awareness and prevention are critical.
For more information, visit here for protecting, preventing and support and here for dangers of fentanyl