Xylazine Addiction
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Dangerous New Drug Causes Overdoses
Xylazine use gives people skin lesions that may require amputations. Also known by its street name tranq, xylazine has now captured the attention of numerous health officials because it is linked to a sudden increase in overdose deaths in the country.
Navigation: What is Xylazine?, Xylazine Linked to Increased Overdose Deaths, What are the Dangers of Using Xylazine?, What are the Symptoms of Xylazine Use?, Illicit Drug Supply: Where Does Xylazine Come From?,, How Does Treatment for Xylazine Addiction Work?, Rehab Is Your Best Chance
A new addictive drug is causing an increase in overdose deaths across the US, and health officials are scrambling to keep track of it. Xylazine is a tranquilizer for large animals and is not necessarily approved for human use. However, this drug has been showing up in the drug supply since 2019 as an additive in fentanyl and other street drugs.
While it’s not necessarily new, Xylazine use did not really become a huge problem until the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
Xylazine use gives people skin lesions that may require amputations. Also known by its street name tranq, xylazine has now captured the attention of numerous health officials because it is linked to a sudden increase in overdose deaths in the country.
Local and state health officials are now rushing to figure out where it is coming from and in what quantities. They are also warning drug users about the potential dangers of this toxic substance. Additionally, first responders and health professionals are being updated about its potential effects.
With this in mind, it is important to discuss what this drug is, what it does, and how it can affect a person. Let’s take a closer look at the dangerous effects of xylazine.
What is Xylazine?
Xylazine is a medication that is commonly used in veterinary medicine as a sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant. It belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, which work by stimulating certain receptors in the nervous system to produce a calming effect.
Xylazine is often used in combination with other drugs to induce general anesthesia in animals or to help manage pain during surgical procedures. It is also sometimes used as a tranquilizer or sedative for horses and other large animals.
While xylazine is primarily used in veterinary medicine, it has recently become a cause for concern due to its illicit use as a recreational drug.
In this context, it is often referred to as “tranq,” “zil,” or “xyl” and is sometimes used as a substitute for opioids or other drugs of abuse. However, xylazine can be dangerous when used in this way, and can cause serious side effects including respiratory depression, seizures, and cardiac arrest.
In fact, there are thousands of reports of xylazine overdose in states like New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. This drug now poses a major threat to public health due to its potential lethality. Even in cases where an overdose does not lead to death, xylazine side effects are severe. It can cause necrosis, which refers to the death of bodily tissue. This can lead to loss of fingers, toes, and even limbs.
Xylazine is commonly sold under the brand names Rompun, AnaSed, and Sedazine. It is only approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for veterinary medicine. Unfortunately, it has found its way into the illicit drug market and has become a subject of drug abuse.
Xylazine Linked to Increased Overdose Deaths
For the past two years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking the spread of xylazine. However, there is currently no national plan for drug testing, user protection, as well as diagnostic and surgical procedures.
Medical researchers also have limited knowledge regarding this drug because it has only been approved for large animals like cows and horses. Because the effects of xylazine on humans is not yet fully understood, there are currently no antidotes for it.
Some states have resorted to xylazine rapid testing. They then message local drug users and medical providers about the drug’s potential dangers. On a similar note, the state of Philadelphia has issued a medical advisory that outlines the protocol for the management of xylazine withdrawal.
What makes xylazine particularly dangerous isn’t that some people abuse it or inject drugs like opioids directly into their bloodstream. It’s the fact that some people are not even aware they are taking it. According to health officials, some drug suppliers are lacing fentanyl, heroin, and prescription opioids with xylazine. This is because the drug itself is easy to obtain.
It is also believed that fentanyl containing xylazine can provide euphoric effects for a longer period of time. The potency of this combination is what causes overdose, which in most cases is fatal.
Xylazine is not an opioid, which means fentanyl testing strips cannot detect it. Naloxone, the drug that normally helps reverse the effects of opioid overdose, does not affect xylazine overdose.
Currently, the full national scope of xylazine-related overdose deaths is unknown. However, what is known is that xylazine use and abuse continues to spread all throughout the US. In 2021, xylazine was involved in 19% of all drug overdose deaths in the state of Maryland. This worrying trend seems to be continuing in other states as well.
What are the Dangers of Using Xylazine?
Xylazine is a potent sedative and analgesic drug commonly used in veterinary medicine to calm and immobilize animals during surgery and diagnostic procedures. The tranquilizer is also used to help with animal transportation. However, the drug also has several potential dangers and side effects, especially when misused or abused.
The combination of xylazine and other drugs is so potent that it can render a person unconscious for over 6 hours. This is a much stronger effect than most opioids. This is why a suspected overdose can be difficult to confirm.
One of the most alarming effects of xylazine is necrosis, which has frequently been described as “horrifying”. Xylazine can cause the death of body tissues and cells, which basically means the drug is causing the body to rot from the inside out. Health officials have even reported a case of severe necrosis due to the use of xylazine, which resulted in an arm and leg amputation.
Just like drug, alcohol, and other types of addiction, xylazine is extremely addictive. But beyond that, it can also pose other serious health risks, especially when mixed with opioids like heroin or fentanyl.
Here are other potential effects of xylazine use:
Respiratory depression: Xylazine can cause respiratory depression, leading to a decrease in the rate and depth of breathing. This effect can be severe, especially in those with pre-existing respiratory problems.
Cardiovascular effects: Xylazine can cause a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, leading to bradycardia, hypotension, and potential cardiovascular collapse. This effect can be exacerbated in people with pre-existing heart disease.
Central nervous system effects: Xylazine can cause sedation, drowsiness, ataxia, and loss of coordination. In some cases, the drug can cause agitation and seizures.
Gastrointestinal effects: Xylazine can also cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation. It may also slow down the movement of the digestive system, leading to potential bowel obstruction.
Misuse and abuse of xylazine can lead to addiction, respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, and death.
What are the Symptoms of Xylazine Use?
The effects of this particular sedative can be extremely dangerous, and so it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of xylazine use. In some cases, illicit users of fentanyl and heroin are at risk of unknowingly consuming xylazine because drug suppliers combine the drugs to increase their effects.
The symptoms of xylazine use depend on the amount and duration of use. Some of the common symptoms of xylazine use include: drowsiness, confusion, lethargy, disorientation, slurred speech, blurred vision, constricted pupils, slow breathing, shallow breathing, low blood pressure, hyperglycemia, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, loss of coordination, loss of balance, muscle weakness, paralysis, necrosis, respiratory depression, slow heart rate, overdose, and coma.
Remember that this drug is not meant for human consumption and should not be taken recreationally. Doing so can lead to serious health risks and potential overdose.
Xylazine is a powerful drug and can cause serious harm or even death if misused or abused. If you suspect someone has used Xylazine and is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical services immediately.
Illicit Drug Supply: Where Does Xylazine Come From?
Xylazine was first synthesized in the 1960s by the German pharmaceutical company Bayer AG. The drug was initially developed as a human anesthetic but was later found to have more useful applications in veterinary medicine.
Xylazine is derived from the chemical compound 2,6-dimethylaniline, which is a member of the class of compounds known as arylamines. Arylamines are organic compounds that contain an aryl group (a ring of carbon atoms with alternating single and double bonds) and an amino group (-NH2) attached to the same carbon atom.
The synthesis of xylazine involves several steps, including the reaction of 2,6-dimethylaniline with a variety of reagents and catalysts to produce the final product.
Today, xylazine is produced by several companies around the world and is used extensively in veterinary medicine.
As for where the increased supply of xylazine is coming from, this remains unclear. Health officials are currently tracking the source of this sedative drug and trying to figure out why there has been a surge in supply. They say that the amount of xylazine that has entered the city has reached “alarming” levels. This is the reason why there has been a spike in overdose deaths in recent years.
How Does Treatment for Xylazine Addiction Work?
According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), xylazine has become more prevalent in recent years. The federal agency has seized more of this drug between 2020 and 2021. There is evidence that it is becoming even more pervasive each year. It is important to help those who are struggling with opioid addiction to receive the care and treatment that they need before they suffer from the severe side effects of their substance abuse.
Xylazine is taking over the illicit drug supply, and it is causing serious problems for health officials all over the country.
While xylazine itself is not a new drug, the surge in supply and increase in overdose deaths is still reason enough to be careful around it. We need to talk about how to deal with this drug and how to help someone who is struggling with addiction.
When abused recreationally for its sedative effects, xylazine can be dangerous. Using it can lead to addiction. The user can expect severe adverse health effects.
The treatment for xylazine addiction typically involves a combination of medication-assisted treatment and behavioral therapy. It also requires immediate attention from a healthcare professional.
Individuals addicted to xylazine may undergo medical detoxification to manage the withdrawal symptoms. But since the withdrawal symptoms of xylazine can be severe and potentially life-threatening, medical detoxification should only be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
It is not recommended for someone taking xylazine to detox alone. Health officials currently know very little about the drug, so the best way to avoid fatal outcomes is to undergo a supervised medical detox at an inpatient treatment facility.
While naloxone does not have an effect on xylazine itself, it may still be used for people who have ingested opioids laced with xylazine. Naloxone can be used to block the effects of opioids. Right now there is no known medication that blocks xylazine on its own.
During treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management, and other behavioral therapies may be used to help treat the addiction.
CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to addiction, while contingency management provides incentives for positive behaviors such as staying drug-free.
Rehab will teach patients healthy coping mechanisms that can help them stay sober even after treatment. This will allow them to maintain long-term sobriety.
After rehab, patients can receive aftercare and even participate in support groups to get some peer support and encouragement as they recover. Individuals may also benefit from ongoing care and support, including regular check-ins with a healthcare professional.
Remember that recovery is a lifelong process. Treatment for xylazine addiction can be effective, but it requires ongoing effort and commitment from the individual in recovery. Look for a rehab near you today and get started on the road to long-lasting sobriety.
Rehab is Your Best Chance
Treatment is an addicted individualʼs best option if they want to recover. Beating an addiction not only requires eliminating the physical dependence, but also addressing the behavioral factors that prevent them from wanting to get better. Simply quitting may not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Some people quit for a while, and then take drugs or alcohol again, only to overdose because they did not detox properly. Recovery involves changing the way the patient feels, thinks, and behaves.
