Xylazine is a veterinary anesthetic diverted to manufacture a drug that is spreading in the United States. Also called “tranq” or zombie drug, it causes necrosis and overdoses.
In February 2023, the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) announced that it is taking steps to control the illegal entry of xylazinea veterinary anesthetic diverted to make thea “tranq” drug also called “zombie drug”. The use of xylazine exploded in recent years in the United States. “At the national level, it is present in 25% of drugs sold. Particular attention is paid to the city of Philadelphia where the phenomenon concerns 90% of drugs seized. It worries the health authorities because of this particularly rapid proliferation, its relatively low cost and its ease of purchase.“explains Dr. Judith Trinquart, addictologist doctor. What are the effects xylazine on the body? Hazards ? Why is it called “zombie drug”“? What are the health effects? Is it present in France?
What is xylazine?
Xylazine is a veterinary product used as an anesthetic or sedative for animals (horses, deer) invented in the 1960s and authorized in 1972 in the United States, by the FDA. It comes in the form of a clear and colorless solution for injection. The use of xylazine is diverted into injectable drugs since the 2000s. “He is easy to get and relatively inexpensive compared to opioids. A priori, xylazine would not be used alone but as an adjuvant to opiates and in particular Fentanyl, a very common opioid in the United States (especially during the opioid crisis which killed more than 500,000 people)” says Dr. Judith Trinquart, addiction doctor. People inject it for the purpose oflengthen the duration of the effect of the opioid alone. “Xylazine added to fentanyl increases the effect of the opioid by ten hours” specifies the addictologist. But it can also be used as a cutting agent for other opioids such as heroin, methamphetamine or cocaine. The drug containing xylazine is also called “tranq drug” (“tranquil” drug in French) or “zombie drug”.
What are the effects of xylazine?
Consumers are looking for the sedation effect which gives the feeling of floating and to be disconnected from reality. “Analgesic properties relieve pain, relax muscles and induce euphoria. It is called “zombie drug” because the effect caused leads consumers to a rather particular, stooped and slowed down gait which give them the appearance of “undead”“ notes Dr. Trinquart. Xylazine also causes hallucinations, stupors and blackouts.
What are the side effects of xylazine on the body?
According to the FDA, “xylazine can do lower breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature at critical levels“. People who inject drugs containing xylazine may develop “wounds mainly at the injection points which will degenerate into bedsores and in the most advanced cases in gangrene And necroses fabrics that will require an amputation without support” warns the expert. It also causes brain effects long-term. “Xylazine is an α-adrenergic receptor agonist whose toxicity may cause clinical effects such as sedation, respiratory depression and coma, bradycardia, hypotension and hyperglycaemia. ventricular arrhythmias have been reported” indicates thehandles in the data sheet for xylazine as a veterinary medicinal product. Moreover, like all drugs, the consumption of xylazine has a high addictive potential and its combination with an opioid maximizes the risks of addiction.
Is xylazine present in France?
Xylazine is authorized as an anesthetic drug for animals in France. “For the moment, she is not a problem (on drugs, editor’s note) sinceit did not arrive on the territory (in this form, editor’s note). Nevertheless, the authorities, doctors and addictologists remain extremely vigilant. For the moment, it mainly concerns the United States and a young and precarious population” answers the addictologist.
What are the mortality risks with xylazine?
The risk of fatal overdose is increased when xylazine is added to opioids. The risk of mortality lies in the overdose and the mode of administration by injection, the cutaneous and muscular complications (necrosis) of which can be fatal. “Between 2010 and 2015, xylazine was detected in 2% of opioid overdose deaths and in 2019 this rate rose to 31%. This is why the FDA issued a national alert to warn of the risk of a crisis linked to xylazine after the opioid crisis.” notes Dr. Trinquart.
“There is no cure for this drug and that’s what makes it so dangerous.” alerts the addictologist. In the event of an opioid overdose, we prescribe Naloxone. But this one is ineffective against xylazine which is not one. The only support is through psychotherapies to get out of addiction; which is associated with naloxone and/or substitute drugs if the person is on xylazine combined with an opioid.
Thanks to Dr Judith Trinquart, addictologist doctor.
Sources:
– FDA takes action to restrict illegal importation of xylazine, FDA, February 28, 2023
– Xylazine, summary of product characteristics, Anses