Illegally produced drugs in Quebec are increasingly laced with animal sedatives
In the Canadian illicit drug market, a new substance named medetomidine has emerged. First detected in Canada in 2022, this veterinary sedative has been found in about 20 instances in Quebec, accounting for less than two percent of all detections nationwide. However, most of the detections have been in drugs seized in Ontario, making up 85% of Canadian detections [1].
Between January and September 2024, 925 samples analyzed by Health Canada's Drug Analysis Service contained medetomidine. This substance is chemically and pharmacologically similar to xylazine, another veterinary sedative that has become a significant concern in the illicit drug market. Unlike medetomidine, xylazine is a major public health concern, with widespread presence since about 2020 [1].
Xylazine, a veterinary anesthetic not approved for human use, has been increasingly adulterating illegal drugs, particularly in North America, including Canada. It is often found mixed with fentanyl and other opioids, leading to a sharp rise in overdose deaths. The dangerous effects of xylazine include slow heart rate, low blood pressure, respiratory depression, and even skin tissue necrosis, prolonged semi-consciousness, and vulnerability to violence among users [1].
In contrast, the main risk of consuming medetomidine is its powerful sedative effect, especially when taken with other substances that depress the central nervous system. Medetomidine can be more dangerous when consumed with other sedative substances, as it can amplify the effects of drowsiness, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and slow breathing.
It's important to note that people may consume medetomidine without knowing it, as it is not approved for use in humans. The substance became more commonly detected in Canada in 2024, with the first detection in Quebec happening in April 2023.
The Canadian Press health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. While medetomidine is a sedative and analgesic used in veterinary medicine, current evidence highlights xylazine—not medetomidine—as the prominent veterinary sedative contaminant contributing to elevated overdose risks in Canada’s illicit drug supply. Further surveillance and toxicology reports would be needed to track medetomidine specifically.
References: [1] The Canadian Press. (2025, August 11). Xylazine, a veterinary anesthetic, increasingly found in illicit drugs in North America. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from https://www.canadianpress.com/health/xylazine-a-veterinary-anesthetic-increasingly-found-in-illicit-drugs-in-north-america-1.31654867
Mental-health support and therapies-and-treatments are crucial in addressing the health risks associated with substances like medetomidine and xylazine, which have been found in Canada's illicit drug market. As these veterinary sedatives can cause severe health complications, including slow heart rate and respiratory depression, it is essential for mental-health professionals and health-and-wellness advocates to educate the public on their dangers.
