Xylazine Fact Sheet

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  Xylazine Fact Sheet

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What is Xylazine?

  • Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer that is increasingly being used to cut other substances, like fentanyl, in substance mixtures1

Intended Use

  • Known in veterinary medicine as Rompun®, Sedazine®, or AnaSed®, Xylazine is a sedative that acts as a pain reliever and muscle relaxant1

  • Xylazine is most commonly used on horses, cattle, sheep, and elk1

  • Xylazine is not approved for any use in humans1 

Common Names

  • Tranq, Tranq Dope, Sleep Cut, Anestecia de Caballo (Spanish)2, 4 

Forms

  • Liquid solution that can be inhaled, taken intravenously, intramuscularly, or orally1,3 

How Xylazine Works

  • Xylazine works by decreasing norepinephrine and dopamine release in the central nervous system (CNS)1

Health Effects

  • Bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, hyperglycemia, hypotension, constriction of the pupils, muscle relaxation, slowed and ineffective breathing, and sedation2

Overdose

  • Toxic and lethal concentrations are currently unknown2 

  • When used to cut opioids, Xylazine may increase risk of disordered breathing2 

  • Naloxone may not fully reverse overdose symptoms when opioids and Xylazine are present, but reports suggest it may help with disordered breathing2

Treatment

  • Symptoms of exposure may be treated with blood pressure management and supportive respiratory care2

References

  1. Xylazine (Trade and Other Names: Rompun®, Sedazine®, AnaSed®) 

  2. Xylazine: A Toxic Adulterant Found in Illicit Street Drugs 

  3. The Emerging of Xylazine as a New Drug of Abuse and its Health Consequences among Drug Users in Puerto Rico 

  4. An Animal Tranquilizer Is Now Linked To One In Three Overdoses In Philadelphia 

Acknowledgments

This fact sheet was developed by the Oregon State University Coast to Forest team, a collaboration of the College of Health, OSU Center for Health Innovation and OSU Extension Service Family & Community Health program. We would like to thank the H 310 Health Field Experience students for their contributions.

For more information and to explore local resources, check out the Coast to Forest County-Specific Resource Guides.