Why the Xylazine Drug is a Real Threat: Everything You Need to Know

A terrifying and deadly new drug has made its way into the illicit drug supply causing widespread alarm and raising national attention in communities throughout the continental United States. Xylazine drug, normally used in veterinary medicine as an animal tranquilizer, pain reliever, and powerful sedative has been now identified by medical examiners and linked to a high number of drug overdose deaths in both east coast and west coast communities.

Identified as a recurring problem in the early 2000s in Puerto Rico, xylazine has now been reported in Northeast American states: New York City, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania, and is continuing to move west with new reports in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Sadly, xylazine, now mixed with other illicit drugs like illicit fentanyl and heroin increases the chances of overdose. This toxic mixture has already been reported to have been the cause of many fatal overdoses already.

The risk of overdose has never been higher as the presence of xylazine has been found in many illicit drug samples in the past year. The illicit drug market cuts xylazine with other illicit street drugs, namely opioids. Illegal opioid use has been a contributing factor in the increasing number of overdose deaths reported nationwide. However, with xylazine-involved deaths on the rise, there are other shocking factors to consider when identifying this harmful drug.

The Impact of Xylazine Drug on the Human Body

Known by the street names tranq dope, xylazine is associated with veterinary use as its commonly used as a sedative for animals. The drug has not been approved for human use and for good reason. In addition to the serious effects associated with Xylazine, (ie dry mouth, drowsiness, low blood pressure, hypertension, respiratory depression, and dysrhythmia to name a few); injection of drug mixtures that contain xylazine will result in the appearance of painful wounds around the injection site.

According to the DEA, “Users who inject xylazine develop soft tissue injuries that can lead to necrotic tissue and may result in amputation at rates higher than those who inject other drugs without xylazine.” Xylazine-induced skin ulcers, and rotting skin, sometimes to the bone are some of the horrible side effects of xylazine injection drug use. These painful open wounds, as well as excessive drowsiness, are no doubt the reason this drug has been often referred to

Xylazine Is Not an Opioid

Xylazine is not a controlled substance. It is strictly used as a veterinary drug as a sedative and muscle relaxant. Drug users have experienced effects similar to opioids even with low levels of xylazine in their system. However, collected illicit opioid samples have sparked research indicating that illegal xylazine obtained on the streets may be used by unsuspecting users.

For instance, in an FDA-issued letter to stakeholders, they warned that illicit xylazine is being mixed and sold with combinations of fentanyl and heroin. Because the user may potentially be unaware of the drug’s combination with xylazine, this could prove extremely dangerous and lethal. How so? In some instances, drug users experienced drug overdoses consistent with heavy opioid use however xylazine acts as a central nervous system depressant and can cause slow breathing and heart rate and ultimately cause death.

This also may be in part from the fact that xylazine effects are similar to that of opioids. In the event of an opioid overdose, first responders and health officials may be unaware of xylazine exposure. Xylazine is not an opioid, and administering naloxone will not address or reverse its effects on breathing. In the event of a suspected xylazine overdose, first responders will still administer naloxone.

Some studies have included that users who seek out the veterinary sedative xylazine look for its ability to lengthen the effects of fentanyl use and increase the euphoric effects. As xylazine-related deaths continue to rise, the sobering reminder that we are experiencing the worst overdose crisis comes to mind.

Where to Purchase a Xylazine Drug Test

As many U.S. centers are on high alert from the opioid crisis, some are looking to other measures in order to minimize the high death toll. Synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, are among the most dangerous substances found in the illegal drug supply today due to their potency. With the emergence of Xylazine into the illicit local drug supply and its similar effects, a drug testing device would be beneficial, not only for medical services but for the public as a whole.

What to Know About the Xylazine Drug Test

12 Panel Now, one of the nation’s largest suppliers of drug tests is among the first to provide a Single Panel Rapid Test to the public. Single-panel drug tests detect the presence of drugs in urine at one cutoff level. The Xylazine Drug test can be purchased on 12 Panel Now’s website, with expedited shipping available. Single-panel drug tests are simple and easy to use, requiring only a few minutes to complete.

The Xylazine drug test from 12 Panel Now, (XYL Rapid Test Panel) is meant to only be used with human urine specimens. It is recommended that the urine specimen is collected in clean dry containers. Once opened, the rapid test panel should be used within an hour. Completing the test is very straightforward. The test administrator simply dips the single panel (hold it at the handle with the product name) into the collected urine specimen for at least 10-15 seconds. Then the test panel should be placed on a non-absorbent surface where it should be evaluated at the 5-minute mark.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has identified Xylazine as a lethal drug of concern. Xylazine use in humans can lead to untold health complications and can be extremely deadly. Recently, the drug has been linked to many fatal overdoses. It is recommended that those in the community are informed and alerted to it’s lethality.