Interior Health (IH) Nov. 21 issued a Drug Alert for the Cranbrook area, warning about drugs being sold as (Down, Dope, Fentanyl) containing medetomidine and fluorofentanyl.

Medetomidine is a non-opioid tranquilizer with effects similar to xylazine. It is up to 200 times stronger than xylazine.

Medetomidine can lead to complicated and long-lasting overdose symptoms. Medetomidine suppresses respiration and has potentially dangerous cardiovascular effects.

The combination of fluorofentanyl/fentanyl and medetomidine can lead to significant sedation. Overdose symptoms may last beyond administration of naloxone.

Looks Like: Purple chunks and pebbles.

Sold as: Down, Dope, Fentanyl

Contains: Fluorofentanyl (17%), Fentanyl (4%), Medetomidine (3%)

Risk: High risk of overdose; Dizziness and confusion; Nausea, amnesia, sleepiness, nodding out for a long time; Smoking is not safer than injecting.

The alert is in effect until Nov. 28.

See the full IH notice.

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