CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Health officials are linking a number of drug overdoses in Chicago this month to an animal tranquilizer.
It’s called medetomidine, a powerful sedative for animals that is not approved for human use. However, city leaders said it was found in drug samples from a number of drug overdose deaths between May 11 and May 14.
Drugs involved range from fentanyl and heroin to other opioid and non-opioid sedatives.
It’s the first time that medetomidine has been detected in Chicago. In a health bulletin issued this week, officials say low heart rate, low blood pressure and low breathing may be symptoms of an overdose. They add that Naloxone should still be used on those who may be experiencing one.
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