What Is Going On With Xylazine?

What Is Going On With Xylazine?

Xylazine has been in the news a lot lately, but not everything said about it is true- read on to learn for yourself.

Thank you to The Everywhere Project & National Harm Reduction Action Coalition for this important information.

What is it?

• Xylazine is a non-opioid used as a sedative, anesthetic, muscle relaxant, and analgesic for animals, but it is not FDA- approved for use in humans. It was not approved for human use due to severe central nervous system depressant effects.

• Xylazine has increasingly been found in the illicit drug supply, frequently mixed with fentanyl

• It may be referred to as “tranq,”or “tranq dope” when combined with heroin or fentanyl.

Xylazine Effects

• Xylazine is a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness, amnesia, and slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure at dangerously low levels.

• At very high doses, or with other central nervous system depressants, xylazine can cause:

• Loss of physical sensation,

• Loss of consciousness,

• Intensification of the effects of other drugs, which can complicate overdose presentation and treatment.

Xylazine & Fentanyl

·        The “high” from fentanyl lasts for a very short time compared to the effects of heroin and other opioids. Xylazine may be added, at least in part, to extend the effects of fentanyl. However, not everyone who uses fentanyl is intentionally seeking out xylazine. In many cases, people are not aware that xylazine is in the drugs they are buying and using.

·        It’s been found in powder heroin/fentanyl mostly, and sometimes coke and meth

·        Xylazine can give fentanyl legs so you’re not sick again in two hours, but can be very dangerous when it shows up in dope unexpectedly

Skin Wounds

This is where the whole “zombie drug” phrase comes from. While that phrase is only dehumanizing and fearmongering, the concern of skin wounds still exists.

No matter the route of administration: smoking, snorting, injecting, or boofing individuals can experience tranq wounds.

• Injecting:

• Unlike a typical abscess, the wound can occur anywhere on the body and does not need to be at or near the injection site.

• Snorting:

• Wounds inside the nose and sinuses. Wounds can also appear on other areas of the body.

• Smoking:

• Coughing up black stuff. Wounds can also appear on other parts of the body.

• Boofing:

• Rectal ulcerations. Wounds can also appear on other areas of the body.

Xylazine wounds can take months or years to heal, and may not heal without medical care. Wounds can get very goopy/yellow/red/swollen/tend to be most painful at this stage.

Xylazine-Involved Overdoses

• If someone is unresponsive, it’s very very important to see if they are breathing! If they are taking 10 breaths each minute, keep an eye on them for the next hour. You don’t need to use naloxone unless their breathing gets slower

• Naloxone doesn’t work on xylazine BUT it will help if the opioid/fentanyl is making it hard for them to breathe

• Only if their breathing is slow or shallow, use naloxone the way you normally would (or titrate lower dose of injectable naloxone), because they probably have opioids in their system too. They may not become responsive right away, but as long as they are taking10 breaths per minute, just stay with them and keep checking. Put them in the recovery position if you have to leave them

Basic Harm Reduction Methods

•   Go slow. Use less.

•   Test your product if you can.

•   Sniffing or smoking is probably safer than injecting.

•   Try to avoid using alone. Because of the heavy sedation, be aware of your surroundings and your possessions, especially if you’re somewhere that’s not secure.

•   If you are using alone, double down on other strategies. Have someone check on you. If you are using in a group, stagger your use so someone is always alert.

•   Carry naloxone and know how to use it. Look out for each other.

•   Call 911, be aware that a xylazine overdose may need more care than naloxone.

•   Be sure the airway is open, as breathing may be blocked in slumped positions.

Check out The Everywhere Project and National Harm Reduction Coalition to learn more about Xylazine and how it’s affecting people who use drugs.