ADH warns of presence of xylazine in illegal drugs
LITTLE ROCK – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have reported a widespread threat of xylazine mixed with illegal drugs such as fentanyl and heroin.
According to a DEA Public Safety Alert, drug seizures containing mixtures of fentanyl laced with xylazine have been detected in 48 states. The DEA has reported that xylazine-positive overdose deaths have risen by 1,127% in the south. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory has reported mixtures of illegal drugs, such as fentanyl and heroin, containing xylazine.
Xylazine is a nonopioid tranquilizer used by veterinarians for animals such as elk, deer and horses. The FDA has not approved the use of xylazine in humans.
Xylazine-mixed drugs may go by street names such as “Tranq,” “Tranq dope,” “Philly dope,” “sleep cut” and “zombie drug.” Of note, xylazine has also been reported in stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine, which has been called “speedball.”
Side effects of xylazine
• Decrease in breathing rate (respiratory depression)
• Slows down brain activity (CNS depression)
• Decrease in heart rate
(bradycardia)
• Lowers blood pressure
(hypotension)
• Raises blood sugar
• Withdrawal symptoms
have been reported with xylazine
• Xylazine constricts
blood vessels which can reduce blood flow to tissues and organs.
Dangers
• Xylazine and opioids
can both slow down breathing and heart rate, but when xylazine is mixed with opioids, there can be added effects which will increase the risk of overdose death.
• Opioid overdoses mixed with xylazine can be harder to treat. Narcan (naloxone) will reverse the effects of an opioid, such as fentanyl, but it will not be effective in reversing a nonopioid such as xylazine.
The FDA recommends treating suspected opioid drug overdoses with Narcan (naloxone) even if mixed with xylazine, as Narcan (naloxone) will reverse the effects of the opioid.
Healthcare providers should consider xylazine exposure if a patient is not responding to Narcan (naloxone) as well as expected and additional supportive care may be needed.