Medetomidine Test Strips

Medetomidine Test Strips

Medetomidine is a rising contaminant in the street opioid supply. It is a powerful sedative for veterinary use. Medetomidine test strips are sensitive and can detect the presence of medetomidine in a small, diluted drug sample. We provide test kits to the public at no cost. A test with two lines indicates the absence of medetomidine and one line indicates its presence.

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What is Medetomidine?

Medetomidine is a powerful sedative and painkiller that is not approved for human use. It is a medicine used by veterinarians for sedative purposes. It was first identified in the street opioid supply in 2022 and has become increasingly present as an opioid contaminant across the country. Medetomidine is 100-200 times the potency of xylazine, another medicine approved for veterinary use, making withdrawal symptoms more severe.

Medetomidine is not an opioid, and its effects cannot be reversed using naloxone. However, administering naloxone is still recommended as medetomidine often co-occurs with fentanyl.  

When used by veterinarians, medetomidine is manufactured as an injectable solution. However, in the street opioid supply, it often comes in the form of a powder or pressed pill.

Medetomidine is hard to identify based on appearance alone.

Sources/Image Credit: ABC7 News, STAT News

Medetomidine is a central nervous system depressant and has anti-anxiety and analgesic effects. Symptoms may include:

  • Low heart rate
  • Low blood pressure
  • Sedation
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Blurred vision

Sources: MDH, Substance Use Philly

National
  • During the last four months of 2024, medetomidine was detected in 74% of the street opioid supply in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Unlike xylazine, medetomidine is not associated with skin wounds.

Find National data and other resources at the CDC’s website.

Minnesota
  • Medetomidine was first detected in Minnesota in 2024.

Find Minnesota data at the Department of Health’s website.

Sources: CDC, MDH, Substance Use Philly

Test instructions for Medetomidine: A single line indicates a positive result, with a skull symbol. Two lines indicate negative, with a warning symbol.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To use a medetomidine test strip (MTS), you’ll add a little clean water to a small sample of the substance you’d like to test. Holding the orange part of the strip, dip the bottom part into the water/drug mixture you just prepared. After 2-5 minutes, you should see red lines appear on the strip. One red line means the substance tested POSITIVE for medetomidine, two red lines is a NEGATIVE result (this is the opposite from a pregnancy or COVID-19 test).

For detailed instructions and more info on the test strips, check out our full instruction card.

MTS Instruction Card

Standard medetomidine test strips cannot detect fentanyl, only medetomidine. However, if you would like fentanyl test strips, visit any of our Naloxone Access Points to pick up a free test kit or visit our fentanyl test strip (FTS) page to learn more.

Request Fentanyl Test Strips

While naloxone will not reverse effects specific to medetomidine, it will address symptoms related to opioid consumption. In the case of a suspected overdose involving medetomidine, it is vital to administer naloxone as it is likely the individual was also exposed to fentanyl. 

Always call 911 in the case of an emergency to seek medical assistance. 

It’s important to note that while naloxone may restore breathing by addressing the opioid overdose, it is possible for a person to remain unconscious due medetomidine’s sedative effects. Ensure the individual is placed into rescue position until EMS arrives and closely monitor their breathing.

To learn more about overdose response and naloxone, sign-up for one of our overdose response trainings.

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