Pharmacologic Innovations in Alpha-2 Agonist Withdrawal Management in EDs and ICUs

Friday, April 24, 2026

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Location: Harbor D-F, Level 2

Presenter(s)

JP

Jeanmarie Perrone, MD

Director, Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Slides Handouts
Michael J. Lynch, MD FACEP FACMT

Associate Professor, Senior Medical Director
UPMC and UPMC Health Plan
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Joseph D'Orazio, MD, FAAEM, FACMT, FASAM, FCPP

Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Brendan Hart, MD, PhD

Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Kory S. London, MD

Associate Professor, Medical Director, Addiction Provider
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Andrew Otte, PhD

Research Associate Professor
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana

Join a multidisciplinary panel of experts in emergency medicine, toxicology, addiction medicine and pharmacologists as they explore the evolving landscape of illicit drug adulteration—focusing on the emergence of medetomidine in the fentanyl supply. This session will highlight clinical challenges in diagnosing and managing acute toxicity and withdrawal, with insights into its growing impact on healthcare systems and substance use treatment infrastructure.

Learning Objectives:

Learners will be able to:

Identify toxicosurveillance sources to suggest that medetomidine is contributing to an emerging regional overdose phenomenon.
Describe the characteristics and pharmacologic management of a medetomidine withdrawal syndrome
List emerging strategies and innovations considered to mitigate the medetomidine withdrawal syndrome.

Disclosure(s):

Jeanmarie Perrone, MD: No financial relationships to disclose

Michael J. Lynch, MD FACEP FACMT: No financial relationships to disclose

Joseph D'Orazio, MD, FAAEM, FACMT, FASAM, FCPP: No financial relationships to disclose

Brendan Hart, MD, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose

Kory S. London, MD: No financial relationships to disclose

Andrew Otte, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose