Xylazine Information
勒貊勛圖 Xylazine
Xylazine (also known as tranq) is a nonopioid veterinary tranquilizer commonly used to sedate large animals like horses. While it is FDAapproved for animal use, xylazine is not safe for humans and can cause serious, lifethreatening effects.泭
Xylazine has been found mixed into:泭
- Fentanyl泭
- Cocaine泭
- Counterfeit prescription pills泭
Although xylazine is not an opioid, it is a central nervous system depressant. It can cause:泭
- Extreme drowsiness泭
- Memory loss泭
- Slow breathing泭
- Low heart rate and blood pressure泭
When combined with opioids, alcohol or benzodiazepines, the risk of fatal overdose increases significantly.泭
Xylazine Presence and Trends
Xylazines true prevalence is difficult to track because:泭
- Xylazine is not always included in toxicology testing泭
- Overdoses involving xylazine may be underreported泭
Public health agencies have reported increasing detection of xylazine across the U.S. In 2022, the DEA reported that about 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of counterfeit fentanyl pills tested positive for xylazine.泭
Why Xylazine Is Especially Dangerous
Xylazine increases overdose risk for several reasons:泭
- It is often mixed with fentanyl or sold in counterfeit pills泭
- People usually dont know its present泭
- Its effects can look like an opioid overdose泭
- There is no approved antidote for xylazine overdose in humans泭
Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone will not reverse its effects. However, naloxone should always be given in an overdose situation because xylazine is frequently mixed with opioids like fentanyl. Always call 911 if xylazine or opioid overdose is suspected.泭
Additionally, people who inject substances containing xylazine may develop severe skin wounds, including:泭
- Open sores泭
- Necrotic (dead) tissue泭
- Infections that spread quickly泭
These wounds can appear far from the injection site and can become lifethreatening if untreated, and prompt medical care is critical.泭