Xylazine Information
About Xylazine
Xylazine (also known as “tranq”) is a non‑opioid veterinary tranquilizer commonly used to sedate large animals like horses. While it is FDA‑approved for animal use, xylazine is not safe for humans and can cause serious, life‑threatening effects.
Xylazine has been found mixed into:
- Fentanyl
- Cocaine
- Counterfeit prescription pills
Although xylazine is not an opioid, it is a central nervous system depressant. It can cause:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Memory loss
- Slow breathing
- Low heart rate and blood pressure
When combined with opioids, alcohol or benzodiazepines, the risk of fatal overdose increases significantly.
Xylazine Presence and Trends
Xylazine’s true prevalence is difficult to track because:
- Xylazine is not always included in toxicology testing
- Overdoses involving xylazine may be under‑reported
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.
Why Xylazine Is Especially Dangerous
Xylazine increases overdose risk for several reasons:
- It is often mixed with fentanyl or sold in counterfeit pills
- People usually don’t know it’s present
- Its effects can look like an opioid overdose
- There is no approved antidote for xylazine overdose in humans
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.
Additionally, people who inject substances containing xylazine may develop severe skin wounds, including:
- Open sores
- Necrotic (dead) tissue
- Infections that spread quickly
These wounds can appear far from the injection site and can become life‑threatening if untreated, and prompt medical care is critical.