United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Due to the similarities of medetomidine and dexmedetomidine to xylazine — medetomidine is used in a similar manner as xylazine in veterinary medicine, and dexmedetomidine in human practice and veterinary medicine — DEA assesses both drugs have the potential to be supplements to or replacements for xylazine in terms of mixing with illicit opioids.