The concern is growing about a lethal new street drug. It has calming, analgesic, and relaxing effects on the muscles. But it also rots human flesh. Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” “tranq dope,” and “Flash eating zombie drug,” is permitted for use in non-human animals such as horses, cattle, and other non-human mammals as a tranquilizer. Opioid users have begun using it in the last few years to prolong the effects of fentanyl and replicate the high of heroin.
Some consumers, though, might not specifically seek out xylazine. People frequently are unaware that it has been inserted into the other drugs they are purchasing and abusing. The drug is now widely available on the streets. Tranq was initially discovered in the drug supply in Puerto Rico and is combined with fentanyl to prolong the effects of the drug.
Xylazine brings pain relief by causing sedation and anesthesia, respiratory depression, a slow heartbeat, and muscular relaxation. However, it also significantly slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure in humans; therefore, it is not approved for use by the FDA in humans. Tranq does not respond to overdose reversal drugs like Naloxone, but since the drug is usually cut with other drugs, Naloxone is still administered to those experiencing a Xylazine overdose. Because the illicit drug also causes severe respiratory distress, oxygen is also often administered. Another way to help someone addicted to “Tranq” is to treat the inevitable flesh wounds that the drug causes. When these wounds are not treated, they lead to amputation to prevent the spread of the rotting flesh.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the symptoms associated with Xylazine use include:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Tachycardia (increased heart rate) followed by hypotension (low blood pressure) and bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypothermia
- Coma
- Respiratory depression
- Dysrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Open wounds, which lead to infection and if not treated, amputation
- Increased potential for overdose and death
Not many official studies have been completed on human abuse of Xylazine, but reports from people who are helping the addicts have reported what they have seen to the DEA. The DEA found that “Users who inject xylazine or drug mixtures with xylazine often develop soft tissue
injuries (rotting flesh) that can lead to necrotic (dead) tissue and may result in amputation at rates higher than those who inject other drugs without xylazine. Additionally, users may develop a physical dependence to xylazine itself, with some users reporting the withdrawal symptoms from xylazine as, or more, severe than from heroin or methadone; symptoms include sharp chest pains and seizures.”
Xylazine can be inserted into a muscle or vein or ingested, inhaled, smoked, or snorted. Depending on the dose, how it was taken, and whether it was combined with other drugs or not, it can start working within minutes and last for eight hours or longer. People initially experience dry mouth and sleepiness. Blood pressure and pulse rate will decrease. As the dose is increased, they may experience dilated pupils, floppy muscles, and a decrease in body temperature. The rate of breathing will gradually decrease and then stop. This might resemble an opioid overdose.
Michigan Regional Poison Control Center reports that determining whether someone has taken xylazine or a narcotic is challenging. Naloxone will not work on xylazine because it does not attach to the opioid receptor. It is prudent to suspect Xylazine if someone has small pupils, poor breathing, is unresponsive but doesn’t react to naloxone, and has a very low pulse rate (30–40s) and low blood pressure.
If you suspect someone is under the influence of drugs, reach out to a drug rehab center in south Florida for help. In-patient and out-patient help is available for drug addicts who need help.
