New Synthetic Drug Shows Up On SF Streets, Is Linked to Overdose Death

A recent overdose death in San Francisco has highlighted the emergence of medetomidine, a synthetic veterinary tranquilizer, in the local drug scene. This drug, also referred to as "rhino tranq," was found alongside fentanyl and benzodiazepines in the system of a 46-year-old woman who died in February. The San Francisco Department of Public Health expressed concern over this development, particularly as medetomidine has been linked to severe health complications in other cities, including extreme hypertension and prolonged sedation. Unlike xylazine, which has caused severe skin ulcers, the effects of medetomidine on human health remain less understood. Experts suggest that medetomidine may be replacing xylazine in the street-drug trade, raising alarms as overdose deaths in the city have recently begun to tick up after a year of decline.

The decrease in overdose fatalities has been attributed to the wider distribution of treatment options like methadone and buprenorphine, as well as the availability of naloxone. Nevertheless, the potential for medetomidine to exacerbate the crisis poses new challenges for public health officials. As the drug landscape evolves, the city must remain vigilant against the rising tide of synthetic drugs.