The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and White House have issued a health advisory regarding the presence of medetomidine in illegal fentanyl supplies across the United States.

Medetomidine is a veterinary sedative commonly referred to as "rhino tranq" due to its use in tranquilizing large animals. Health officials are expressing concern about this drug being mixed with fentanyl in the illicit drug market.

The advisory comes as federal agencies continue to monitor emerging threats in the illegal drug supply. The combination of medetomidine with fentanyl represents a new development that health officials are tracking.

Federal authorities have not yet released specific data on the geographic spread or frequency of medetomidine detection in drug supplies. The advisory serves as an alert to healthcare providers and public health officials about this emerging combination.