Xylazine, commonly known as “tranq,” is a drug adulterant that has been detected by the DEA in an increasing number of overdose deaths. While the FDA has only authorized its use in veterinary medicine, illicitly-used xylazine is often found in combination with other substances like fentanyl, cocaine, or heroin, which can significantly raise the risk of fatal overdoses.
Although limited research has been conducted on the effects of xylazine, anecdotal reports indicate that users experience symptoms similar to opioids, such as central nervous system depression. These effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, hypertension, respiratory depression, and even coma. Users can develop a physical dependence on xylazine, and withdrawal symptoms can be more severe than those experienced with heroin or methadone, including sharp chest pains and seizures.
It’s important to note that naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdose, does not reverse the effects of xylazine because it is not an opioid. Xylazine-positive overdose deaths have been on the rise in all regions of the United States, with staggering increases ranging from 103% to 1,127%. However, since xylazine is not included in the CDC’s reporting of national statistics on fatal overdoses, its prevalence is likely widely underestimated.
Currently, xylazine is not listed as a controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. It can be purchased online in powder form from Chinese suppliers for as low as $6-20 per kilogram. Drug traffickers may utilize xylazine as an adulterant to increase their profits, as its psychoactive effects allow them to reduce the amount of fentanyl or heroin used in a mixture.
These findings are based on a DEA Joint Intelligence Report from October 2022, as reported by Get Smart About Drugs.
View the full report here
