“Rhino Tranq” warning in Wicomico County

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — Medetomidine, an illicit drug also known as “rhino tranquilizer,” has recently been discovered in Wicomico County. Officials warn that the drug is extremely dangerous.

Julie Willis, overdose awareness coordinator for the Wicomico County Health Department, said, “Medetomidine is a veterinary sedative that we have recently found in the illicit drug supply here in Wicomico County.”

The drug, also referred to as “rhino tranquilizer,” is used to sedate large animals and is 200 to 300 times stronger than Xylazine, commonly called horse tranquilizer.

“It slows down your heart rate and you stop breathing. The withdrawals from it have been really severe,” Willis said.

Users of medetomidine may fall into a deep sleep, with clammy and pale skin. There is no known antidote for humans.

“It’s not an opiate, so it doesn’t respond to naloxone,” Willis said. “However, we still encourage people to administer naloxone because you never know what’s in someone’s drug supply. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

The Wicomico County Health Department emphasized the importance of raising awareness about this drug, particularly as resources on the Eastern Shore are limited.

“It’s really aggressive, and we don’t want to lose any more lives here,” Willis said.