The United States Drug Enforcement Agency has issued a public safety advisory informing people of the widespread danger posed by fentanyl combined with xylazine, also known as “tranq”, a common name for this type of animal tranquilizer .
According to DEA Administrator Ann Milgram, xylazine makes fentanyl, the worst drug threat our country has ever faced, and even deadlier. In 48 of 50 states, the DEA has found combinations of xylazine and fentanyl.
The DEA has said that users of drugs containing xylazine and fentanyl are more likely to die from a fatal drug overdose.
The animals are given the FDA-approved drug xylazine as a sedative and pain reliever. Breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature can all be significantly lowered.
Adverse effects in humans are similar to those commonly associated with opioid use and can be serious and life-threatening. Despite this, the DEA warns that unlike opioids, naloxone or Narcan cannot be used to reverse the effects of xylazine.
Still, the DEA said specialists still advise giving naloxone to anyone who appears to be suffering from drug poisoning.
One of the negative effects of Tranq is the development of ulcers in various areas of the body, which can sometimes lead to the amputation of fingers or entire limbs. According to some specialists, xylazine was illegally added to the human drug supply to prolong the effects of fentanyl and heroin.
According to DEA data, xylazine-positive overdose deaths increased across the country from 2020 to 2021, but it’s unclear when these deaths were noted.
Between August 2021 and August 2022, 107,735 Americans died from drug poisoning, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl implicated in 66% of those deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fentanyl is made in secret labs south of the Mexican border by Mexican drug gangs using chemicals exported from China.
The FDA said last month it would limit imports of xylazine, which means shipments of animal tranquilizers will face greater regulatory scrutiny. To ensure they are for lawful use, shipments of the drug and the materials used to produce it may also be held.