The University of Manchester has issued a warning after a chemical that has been turning US drug-users into ‘zombies’ was found in Ketamine sold in Britain.
Xylazine, nicknamed ‘Tranq’, has caused drug addicts in Philadelphia and New York to stand frozen to the spot and appeaar lifeless, as well as hobbling around like zombies.
However, a new drug Medetomidine has been found to be 200 times stronger than Xylazine, and has been blamed by health officials for rising drug overdoses in the US, according to Daily Mail.
The drug is only approved for specific uses on animals, however it has been found to have been mixed with street drugs.
The University of Manchester’s warning followed studies by MANDRAKE, the university’s drug tesing and harm reduction facility, which found Medetomidine in Ketamine sold in the UK.
The university said the combination of these substances can cause “extreme and prolonged sedation that may be fatal”.
It can also leave individuals “extremely vulnerable and at risk of sexual assault or robbery.”
Harm reduction advice includes testing Ketamine with Medetomidine test strips and avoiding using street drugs alone.
WARNING
Multiple samples of ketamine circulating in #Manchester have been confirmed, by our lab, to be contaminated with medetomidine.
The GM Drugs Early Warning System has subsequently issued the following warning.
If unwell please seek medical attention. pic.twitter.com/yTHc6yI7t4
— MANDRAKE (@MANDRAKE_LAB) November 19, 2025
If a friend is impacted by the chemical and has trouble breathing, turns pale or has blue lips, individuals are advised to clear vomit that is blocking the throat, lean their friend’s head back and perform CPR.
The recovery position can also be used in emergency circumstances, and ambulances should be called immediately.
