Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative that has been on the radar due to its presence in the drug supply. In 2021, the age-adjusted rate of overdose deaths involving xylazine was 35 times higher than the 2018 rate.
It’s important to know that xylazine is a medicine used to sedate animals—it is not FDA-approved for humans. However, it’s commonly added to opioids like fentanyl to enhance the “high” and make it last longer. While there has been a lot of focus on the East Coast, xylazine is here in Arizona, too. In fact, local law enforcement has confirmed that “tranq” is circulating through Phoenix’s illegal drug trade, causing people to enter a “zombie-like” state when under the influence. Efforts are being made to help stop this public health crisis while maintaining veterinary access to this important animal sedative.
As one of the most trusted recovery centers in Prescott, AZ, Wolf Creek Recovery is aware of the recent surge in xylazine overdose deaths. One of the best ways to avoid the substance is by not using illicit opioids like fentanyl. However, if you or a loved one is already experiencing a xylazine use disorder, help is available through our comprehensive recovery program.
Xylazine Side Effects
Xylazine—sometimes referred to by the street name “tranq”—is a powerful sedative, originally approved for veterinary use. Even though it is not approved for human use, it has appeared in illicit drug supplies, creating serious public health concerns. Recognizing the side effects of xylazine can help you identify if someone close to you is using the substance. Most of the time, xylazine is mixed into opioids like heroin and fentanyl, so anyone who uses these substances could be at risk for xylazine side effects.
How Xylazine Is Prescribed and Used
In the United States and many other countries, xylazine is approved only for veterinary use. This is the case because xylazine has potent sedative effects and an unpredictable impact on human physiology. In terms of veterinary medicine, xylazine is typically administered before surgeries or invasive procedures in large animals such as horses, cattle, and deer. The medication reduces pain and stress, enhances sedation, minimizes involuntary movements during surgery, and creates a more stable surgical environment.
Most common, xylazine is administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Dosages vary based on the species, weight, and procedure. Due to its potent effects, veterinarians are careful to avoid over-sedation and complications like respiratory depression. Veterinarians are also required to maintain detailed records of xylazine use and store the medication in a secure area to prevent theft or diversion. There have been cases of break-ins at veterinary offices, where substances like xylazine and ketamine were stolen.
Side Effects of Xylazine
Xylazine primarily functions as a sedative, pain reliever, and muscle relaxant. The sedative and analgesic properties that xylazine have make it useful in veterinary medicine, but these same benefits can be dangerous for humans. Side effects can range from mild sedation to severe complications. Let’s take a closer look at the effects that can happen when exposed to xylazine.
Short-term Effects
When a person takes xylazine, it can lead to a number of short-term effects such as sedation, drowsiness, reduced breathing and heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and muscle relaxation. Because xylazine is often mixed with opioids like fentanyl, you may notice an intensely sedative “high” where the person nods in and out of consciousness. When combined with opioids, there is a high risk of overdose. Some people also experience dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting.
Long-term Effects
The long-term effects that are common with continued xylazine use are chronic respiratory depression, ongoing sedation, cardiovascular strain, neurological and cognitive impairments, and an increased risk of dependence. Another long-term effect that is unique to xylazine is necrotic tissue damage. Repeated IV use can damage blood vessels, leading to skin ulcers and infections. Tissue death can occur, potentially resulting in serious complications like gangrene or the need for amputation.
Common Side Effects
Because xylazine is a sedative, it slows down the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, the most common side effects include extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, and slowed breathing and heart rate. Xylazine-induced sedation may also result in poor decision making. In fact, some people who have been exposed to the substance report partial amnesia or trouble recalling events that happened while they were under the substance’s influence.
Rare Side Effects
While less common, it is possible to experience allergic reactions from xylazine. In these cases, the medication can trigger an allergic response, such as swelling in the face or throat, difficulty breathing, or a rapid drop in blood pressure. Rashes can also occur. Other rare side effects include irregular heartbeat, seizure activity, and paradoxical excitation, which is where a person experiences the opposite effects of sedation.
Danger of Potential Overdose
There are no safe dosing guidelines for xylazine for humans, which means overdoses can be extremely dangerous. Anyone who uses the substance can experience an overdose, so it’s important to understand the dangers, risks, and approaches to treating these medical emergencies.
Xylazine overdoses typically happen because the substance is mixed into opioids like fentanyl, and people are unaware. They end up taking the substance, not realizing they’re consuming xylazine. The substance acts quickly, potentially overwhelming the central nervous system. When this happens, it can cause breathing to become slow or shallow, to the point that it stops completely. Other potential dangers that can occur during a xylazine overdose are nodding off, being unresponsive, confusion or delirium, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and cold, clammy skin.
To complicate things, there are limited reversal options when it comes to xylazine overdose. Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses but does not reverse xylazine’s effects. This leaves a dangerous gap in emergency response for mixed drug overdoses. Xylazine concentrations also vary greatly in street drugs, making it nearly impossible to know how much xylazine a person has ingested. Even small amounts of the substance can be enough to stop a person’s heart or breathing.
How to Cope with the Side Effects of Xylazine
If you or someone you know is using xylazine, it’s best to seek professional medical advice. Provide honest information about the substances taken. Xylazine can be laced into opioids or stimulants, so it’s important for medical staff to be aware. The safest way to avoid the side effects of xylazine is by avoiding the substance entirely. However, those who use street drugs could unintentionally ingest the substance. In this case, you can consider harm reduction strategies, such as test strips to detect contaminants.
Treatment for Xylazine Use Disorder in Prescott, AZ
Xylazine withdrawal can include severe anxiety, mood swings, restlessness, and insomnia. In cases of polysubstance use, detox must also address opioids, stimulants, or alcohol simultaneously. While there is no direct antidote for xylazine, withdrawal symptoms can be managed with medications. For those also dependent on opioids, medication-assisted treatment can alleviate cravings and reduce overdose risk.
Xylazine addiction rehab involves behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to help individuals recognize their triggers, develop coping mechanisms, and reframe negative thought patterns. This therapy is particularly useful for managing cravings and addressing underlying mental health concerns. Other therapies that can be beneficial in treating xylazine use disorder are group therapy, peer support, stable housing and life skills programs, and relapse prevention planning. It’s also important to maintain a robust support network that includes therapists, sponsors, and peer groups.
Wolf Creek Recovery provides treatment services for substance use disorders and mental health challenges. We provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals are free to be themselves while exploring the issues that led to their substance use. Clients spend time in individual and group therapy, learning new coping strategies and sharing their experiences with others. They also get to participate in our outdoor recreation program where fun activities like pickleball, softball, and disc golf take center stage. Contact Wolf Creek Recovery at 833-732-8202 to learn more about our programs. Build a life you love.
FAQs About the Side Effects of Xylazine
What are side effects of xylazine?
The side effects of xylazine include drowsiness, sedation, muscle relaxation, reduced heart rate, and lowered blood pressure. Xylazine use can also lead to skin lesions, ulcers, or even necrotic wounds, particularly at injection sites.
Why does xylazine cause skin lesions?
Xylazine activates certain receptors, which narrow the blood vessels and decrease nutrients to the surrounding tissues. This also makes it harder for the wound to heal, leading to localized cell death and open sores.
Can you overdose on xylazine?
Yes, it is possible to overdose on xylazine. The substance is a powerful sedative, and it can overwhelm the body, causing the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to shut down. Not to mention, xylazine is often mixed with opioids like fentanyl (another central nervous system depressant). The combination of the two substances significantly increases the risk of overdose.
