By M. Renee Akers, Pharm.D., member of Mitchell Yancey Substance Abuse Task Force
Xylazine is a drug used to calm horses, but when people take it, it can be very dangerous. Illegal drug dealers are using this substance to mix with drugs like fentanyl. The drug is being sold on the streets under names like “tranq,” “tranq dope,” or zombie drug.”
Unfortunately, it is causing a seriously high number of deaths across the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says that the number of people who died from xylazine overdoses in the southern part of the United States went up 1127% from 2020 to 2021.
“Since xylazine is not a controlled substance, it makes it difficult for authorities to stop its widespread use. So, it is important for people to know about the dangers of xylazine and to stay away from drugs that could contain it,” says Jessica Zucchino, Substance Use Program Manager with Mitchell Yancey Substance Abuse Task Force.
Xylazine, a drug created by Bayer in 1962, is approved in the U.S. for veterinary use only. The FDA blocked its approval for human use because of hazardous side effects such as extreme sleepiness, low blood pressure, and slow heart rate.
Despite being a veterinary drug, traffickers can buy it online from China without a prescription and mix it with any illegal drug such as fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, or cocaine.
“Studies suggest that people can unknowingly use xylazine with other drugs, especially illicit fentanyl or methamphetamine – which is often contaminated with fentanyl. This makes drug use even more risky since people do not realize they are using the combo. The xylazine-tainted drug is also being falsely marketed as a ‘non-lethal’ drug option. Regardless of the dangers, some people admit to using xylazine-containing fentanyl to prolong and strengthen its euphoric effects.” says Andrea Howell, BH-SUD Nurse Navigator at Mountain Community Health Partnership.
Unfortunately, most overdose deaths linked to xylazine and fentanyl involve other substances, including cocaine, heroin, alprazolam-like drugs, alcohol, gabapentin, methadone, and prescription opioids.
Emergency departments face difficulty in quickly detecting the use of xylazine. This is because no quick tests are available to identify it. Instead, urine samples must be sent to an outside laboratory for further analysis, which means a longer wait for results.
Xylazine can cause various symptoms, such as dizziness, confusion, and difficulty speaking and moving. People may also experience pin-point pupils, seizures, and slow, slurred speech. It can also lead to other serious health problems, such as skin ulcers, muscle and nerve damage, kidney injury, and coma. It’s necessary to seek medical attention urgently if you or someone you know has any of these symptoms after using a substance.
“To make the situation worse, there is no emergency reversal for xylazine overdose. In other words—naloxone cannot reverse xylazine’s action. Still, doctors recommend administering naloxone to someone in an overdose situation because fentanyl may also be involved. Then call 911,” says Howell
“Due to ever increasing risks associated with illicit substance use, people need to avoid using all non-prescription drugs alone. However, people who do use drugs should carry naloxone at all times and have someone with them to administer naloxone if needed,” says Cassie York, BH Provider/OBOT Care Coordinator at MCHP. The Never-Use-Alone hotline is available to support those in need of help. The numbers to call are 800-484-3731 for English and 800-928-5330 for Spanish.
If you come upon a person with a suspected overdose, it is crucial to call 911 immediately. Then protect the person from any hazards on the scene, provide naloxone if available, and place them on their side to prevent choking on vomit. Doing so may save a life!
If you want more information about xylazine or to become involved in working with the Mitchell Yancey Substance Abuse Task Force, contact Partners Aligned Toward Health (PATH) at 828-682-7899, info@pathwnc.org, or www.pathwnc.org.
