A Powerful New Drug Is Creating a ‘Withdrawal Crisis’ in Philadelphia NYT | Top Stories By: Jan Hoffman and Hannah Yoon 15 December 2025 at 19:59 Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, mixed into fentanyl has sent thousands to hospitals, not only for overdose but for life-threatening withdrawal. It is spreading to other cities. © Hannah Yoon for The New York TimesThe Temple University Hospital emergency entrance.