The latest culprit in an increasing number of overdose deaths is not an opioid. Rather, it is an animal sedative, commonly used by veterinarians to knock out large mammals before surgery. Xylazine, historically only known within the realms of veterinary medicine has now found its way into the opioid epidemic, mixed into the illicit drug supply and consumed by unsuspecting fentanyl addicts. Only recently being identified as a problematic adulterant in illicit drug use, Xylazine has been connected to many drug overdose deaths from New York City to San Francisco and Los Angeles. What authorities particularly find troublesome is the fact that many drug users consume the drug unaware as Xylazine is mixed into the illicit fentanyl supply as a cutting agent by illicit drug manufacturers.
What Does Xylazine do to Humans?
Xylazine is a central nervous system depressant that acts as a muscle relaxant and a sedative. This drug will be administered to large animals, cattle, horses, elephants, and others. Though originally tested on humans in the 1960s, today’s medical Xylazine is only FDA-approved for animals as the effects on people are far too severe. In recent years Xylazine has been refined to be effective in animal biology so side effects on the human body do vary. Some who have tried illicit xylazine have reported passing out or falling asleep for an hour or so after use followed by severe headaches and blurred vision. Others who have consumed illicit xylazine through illicit injection-drug use have experienced severe reactions like slipping into a coma. Xylazine can also cause effects such as dizziness, amnesia, reduced heart rate, respiratory depression, and hypothermia as well. Due to this drug being formulated for animal use, there is no additional research at this time to shed light on any additional side effects xylazine may have on humans.
Why is it Called the Zombie Drug?
As it has been reported, xylazine use is almost always identified alongside illicit fentanyl consumption. Those who intentionally use xylazine as a cutting agent may attempt to lengthen the euphoric effects of other opioids like heroin or fentanyl. When injecting xylazine, (sometimes alongside heroin) there have been reports of skin ulcers and necrotizing skin around the injection site. Sadly some xylazine addicts have experienced this in extreme cases as skin infections have resulted in the need for amputation. Jennifer Middleton, MD, MPH via AAFP.org comments:
“….Chronic use of xylazine can progress the vasoconstriction and skin oxygenation deficit, leading to severe soft tissue infections, including abscesses, cellulitis, and skin ulceration. Decreased perfusion also leads to impaired healing of wounds and a higher chance of infection of these ulcers…”
As this new drug is being found mixed into many illicit drugs, those who have used xylazine and have developed a dependency on it can experience an emaciated look, with bouts of extreme drowsiness. This combined with the apparent skin lesions and rotting skin has certainly given this drug a more infamous reputation as the zombie drug. Other street names for xylazine are: tranq dope and tranq.
Xylazine Today
Recently, shipments of Xylazine for legal use have been under heavy scrutiny from the Drug Enforcement Administration has been working with federal agencies to determine that all imports of xylazine are being reserved for legitimate use. This is certainly a step in the right direction as illicit xylazine-containing fentanyl has continued to be a common factor in many overdose-related deaths. Traces of xylazine have been found in overdose victims and the effects of xylazine are enough to render someone comatose. This deadly drug’s sedative effects are far too extreme for human use.
Where Can I find a Xylazine Drug Test?
As the death toll continues to rise with regard to opioid overdoses, traces of xylazine continue to be found present in the drug trade as toxicology reports of victims come to light. As xylazine is not a controlled substance, it still presents an extreme danger to the community. Those who are assisting with treating those who are facing drug abuse, or those who are treating drug addicts are looking for solutions to handle new substances like xylazine. Xylazine has only made recent headlines, and xylazine drug tests this early in its discovery are hard to come by. However, overdosereuction.com is one of the few to have a xylazine drug test in the form of a single-panel rapid test.
Single-panel drug test strips are simple and relatively easy to use. What’s most beneficial is the ease of use and accuracy. Most single-panel test strips can be used and discarded within 5-10 minutes offering 99% accurate results. The user simply dips the test strip into a urine specimen, or a cup containing the donor’s urine. The test strip should only be dipped into the specimen for about 10-15 seconds. Once that is complete, the strip can be placed on a nonabsorbent surface where results can be read at the 5-minute mark
To purchase a Xylazine Drug Test click HERE