Medetomidine

Medetomidine is a synthetic alpha-2 adrenoreceptor (α2-AR) agonist primarily used as a sedative in veterinary medicine. It's approximately 200 times stronger than xylazine and exists in two enantiomeric forms: dexmedetomidine (the active, potent form) and levomedetomidine. Medetomidine produces sedation by decreasing noradrenergic activity in the locus coeruleus and acts both centrally and peripherally to induce analgesic effects. It causes various physiological effects including low heart rate, slowed breathing, initial high blood pressure followed by low blood pressure, sedation, dry mouth, and hypothermia. While approved for veterinary use, dexmedetomidine is also approved for human use in hospital settings. Recently, medetomidine has emerged as an adulterant in the unregulated drug supply, often found in combination with fentanyl and other opioids.

Brand names

Domitor

Other names

dexmedetomidinelevomedetomidine