08/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/14/2024 07:58
Key takeaways:
Xylazine is a sedative medication that's only approved for animals. Its side effects make it unsafe for human use. Xylazine can slow your breathing and heart rate and cause severe skin wounds. Its use can lead to amputation, coma, and death.
This drug is commonly mixed with other illicit drugs, including fentanyl or heroin.
Naloxone, the opioid reversal medication, does not reverse an overdose of xylazine, making it even more dangerous. Xylazine test strips are available online or through communities to test substances before use.
Xylazine, also known as "tranq," is an illicit drug that's been found in the U.S. since the mid-2010s. But its use has increased in recent years. And since xylazine is usually mixed with other illicit drugs, such as fentanyl, users may not even be aware they're taking it.
It is a dangerous substance that can lead to a life-threatening drug overdose. So knowing more about it can help protect yourself or a loved one.
Here, we'll review what xylazine is, the risks of using it, and what to do if you or a loved one are exposed to it.
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Xylazine is a prescription medication that's approved for use as a sedative in large animals, such as horses, elk, or deer. It is not approved for humans.
Xylazine isn't an opioid, but it has pain-relieving effects. It causes a sleep-like state by relaxing muscles, slowing down breathing, and reducing heart rate.
Xylazine is often mixed with other illicit drugs, such as fentanyl or heroin. Its sedative effects make other substances feel more potent. And xylazine's effects last longer than some other substances. Adding xylazine allows drug traffickers to reduce the amount of substances like fentanyl or heroin in the mixture - often without the user knowing.
Yes, xylazine is a dangerous drug. In April 2023, the White House issued a statement declaring xylazine an emerging national threat. The two main dangers of xylazine are overdose and severe skin wounds.
As mentioned, xylazine can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. If these levels become too low, it can lead to death. The other substances xylazine is often mixed with can also cause these effects. So the risk of overdose and death is even higher when xylazine is combined with other substances, as is often the case.
The number of overdose deaths involving xylazine was more than 30 times higher in 2021 than in 2018, and it's still increasing. What's more, a routine toxicology test won't detect xylazine. This makes it harder for healthcare professionals to detect and treat xylazine if an overdose happens.
In addition to the dangers of overdose and death, xylazine can also cause severe skin wounds that can easily become infected. These wounds can appear anywhere on the body, not just at the injection site.
Xylazine skin wounds may start as small, pinpoint blisters or holes or in the skin. Eventually, these may join together to form a larger open sore. Wounds may become infected or begin to decay, leading to black pieces of dead skin. In fact, the physical appearance of the multiple open skin wounds caused by xylazine use has led to it being referred to as the "zombie drug." If these wounds aren't treated properly, amputation is often needed.
The risks and side effects of xylazine (other than overdose, death, and skin wounds) can also be severe. This is largely the reason it hasn't been approved for use in humans. Xylazine can cause:
Sedation
Memory loss
Feeling "high"
Dry mouth
Disorientation
Slowed breathing
Low blood pressure
Slow heart rate
Irregular heart rate
Low body temperature
High blood glucose (sugar)
Sepsis
Heart attack
Coma
No amount of xylazine is considered safe for human use. Repeated use of xylazine can lead to tolerance and dependence, which can develop into substance use disorder.
Good to know: The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act is a bill that's been proposed to help protect the public against the dangers of illicit xylazine use. Among other provisions, it suggests a change to make xylazine a controlled substance. If passed by Congress, this would help regulate the sale and manufacturing of xylazine to reduce illicit access to the medication.
Most people are exposed to xylazine by using illicit substances. In 2022, almost 25% of the fentanyl powder seized by the DEA contained xylazine. And a syringe service program in Maryland found that from 2021 to 2022, almost 80% of opioid samples also contained xylazine.
Some people may seek out xylazine on its own. But often, it's added to other substances without the user's knowledge.
Drugs that are mixed with xylazine may not look any different than usual. So you probably won't be able to tell from looking at it whether xylazine is present.
The best way to know if a substance contains xylazine is by using a xylazine test strip. Some areas may offer test strips through community programs or your state health department. You can also purchase them online, and they do not require a prescription. Just be sure you're purchasing test strips from a reputable source.
Here's how you can lower your risk of overdose if you use illicit drugs:
Use xylazine test strips and avoid drugs that test positive for xylazine.
Use clean needles and change injection sites frequently.
Keep an eye out for skin wounds, and seek medical care right away if they appear.
Don't use illicit drugs alone. Having someone with you to call 911 can save your life in the event of an overdose. Services such as Never Use Alone can provide support if you don't have someone with you in person.
Have naloxone on hand and know how to use it - more on this next.
No. Xylazine is not an opioid, so naloxone (Narcan) can't reverse its effects. But you should still administer naloxone if you suspect a drug overdose, since xylazine is often used along with opioids.
Xylazine ("tranq") is a dangerous illicit substance that has become more prevalent in the U.S over the past several years. It is a sedative that's approved for horses and other large animals, but it is not approved for humans. It's often found mixed with other illicit substances, such as fentanyl or heroin.
Xylazine isn't an opioid, but it can cause similar effects, such as sedation, reduced heart rate, and slowed breathing. These effects can lead to coma and death, especially when xylazine is combined with other illicit substances. Xylazine can also cause open wounds on the body, which may lead to amputation if left untreated.
You may not know if xylazine has been added to an illicit drug. And you can't usually tell if xylazine is present in a substance by looking. Xylazine test strips are available to help protect your safety.
Keep in mind that naloxone won't work for a xylazine overdose. But it's still a good idea to administer naloxone if you suspect a drug overdose, since xylazine is often combined with opioids.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (2024). Support for xylazine legislation builds in Congress.
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Cano, M., et al. (2023). Xylazine in drug seizure reports and overdose deaths in the US, 2018-2022. MedRxiv.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). What you should know about xylazine.
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Debnath, R., et al. (2023). Xylazine addiction turning humans to zombies: Fact or myth?Health Sciences Review.
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The White House. (2023). Biden-Harris administration designates fentanyl combined with xylazine as an emerging threat to the United States.
Zagorski, C. M., et al. (2023). Reducing the harms of xylazine: Clinical approaches, research deficits, and public health context. Harm Reduction Journal.
If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about resources in your area.
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