Medetomidine-Associated Opioid Overdoses in Chicago, Illinois: A Report of 3 Cases
These cases underscore the clinical challenges of recognizing and managing medetomidine as an emerging drug adulterant. Unlike typical opioid overdoses, medetomidine intoxication may require different management strategies due to prolonged sedation, bradycardia, and hypertension despite standard-of-care overdose treatment. Improved access to testing for medetomidine and research into alpha-2-antagonist reversal options are crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes.
Authors
- Alexandra Walker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4312-2830)
- R. S. Fitzgerald (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2173-9476)
- Franca Tani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6795-6520)
- Tyler Reese (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6881-2521)
- A. R. Armstrong
- Zain Nayani
Institutions
- Rush University Medical Center (US)
- West Suburban Medical Center (US)
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Addiction Medicine
- Published
- 2025-04-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1097/adm.0000000000001500
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 9.42