XYLAZINE (‘Tranq’)
People who use drugs and harm reductionists across the country have called a drug alert about xylazine in street drugs.
As of September 2022, xylazine has been found in 37 states mixed with fentanyl (most common) and other street drugs like heroin, cocaine, and meth. It’s becoming a common cut across the entire country that’s creating new challenges for people who use drugs.
What is Xylazine?
It is NOT an opioid but does have some similar effects. It’s a tranquilizer with strong sedative effects used in veterinary care. It’s only known to be safe for use in animals. People using xylazine have reported suddenly losing consciousness and/or blacking out for 4-6 hours at a time.
How does this affect me?
Xylazine is almost always found mixed with opioids like fentanyl or heroin. People using xylazine have been getting skin ulcers and abscesses at the injection site or even away from the injection site, severe wound infections, and unexplained wounds in places that haven’t been injected into.
“Naloxone Resistant Dope”? Nope.
If someone is unconscious but breathing, it might just be xylazine.
In the event of a suspected overdose, use 1 dose of naloxone and wait 3-5 minutes until giving another dose. Provide rescue breaths in between. If they are breathing, don’t use more naloxone.
Naloxone will not reverse the effects of xylazine or drugs like alcohol and benzos. Naloxone only works with opioids. There is no overdose reversal drug for xylazine.
Helping the person experiencing the overdose breath (using rescue breathing or an oxygen tank), monitoring their breathing (by watching for chest movement or using a pulse oximeter) and staying close to make sure they are safe are important steps in responding to a suspected xylazine overdose.
As with every overdose response, call 911 if someone is still unconscious & not breathing after giving naloxone.
The growing unsafe drug supply is a direct result of drug prohibition and the laws that criminalizes people who use drugs.
Want to learn more about xylazine in the drug supply? Check out these featured resources.
