Medically Reviewed By Jodi Mabry, Nurse Practitioner (NP)
There is a new Tranq epidemic on the rise. This new Tranq drug poses a serious threat to current Fentanyl drug users who may be looking for the same high, not knowing that their fix is now Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine. This mixture is extremely dangerous and has already taken many lives in the United States.
Tranq Drug Information
The tranquilizer called Xylazine is increasingly being found in the US and has been linked to an overwhelming number of overdoses and deaths. Xylazine—which is not approved for use in people—can be life-threatening and is especially dangerous when combined with opioids like fentanyl.
This Tranq drug is made by adding Xylazine to Fentanyl. Xylazine is a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and amnesia and slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels. Taking Opioids in combination with Xylazine and other central nervous system depressants—like alcohol or benzodiazepines—increases the risk of having a life threatening overdose.
Along with this we’ve gone over the Tranq wounds that occur in a separate article. These Tranq drug wounds can lead to other long lasting illnesses and permanently scar the body for life.
RUHealth provides Tranq wound cleaning tips:
The Tranq Epidemic
The presence of xylazine in drugs tested in labs increased in every region of the United States from 2020-2021, with the largest increase in the South. Studies from specific areas found similar increases. One Tranq epidemic study from 10 US cities showed xylazine was involved in less than 1% of drug overdose deaths in 2015 and in nearly 7% in 2020. In samples from eight syringe service programs in Maryland tested between 2021 and 2022, xylazine was found in almost 80% of drug samples that contained opioids. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, xylazine was found in 31% of heroin and/or fentanyl overdose deaths in 2019.
Among 20 states and Washington D.C. the monthly percentage of Tranq epidemic and Tranq drug related deaths involving illegally made fentanyl (IMF) with xylazine detected increased from 3% in January 2019 to 11% in June 2022. During January 2021–June 2022 in 31 states and Washington D.C., xylazine was detected in a higher percentage of IMF-involved deaths in the Northeastern U.S.
Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine
Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine is no doubt a dangerous combination and will have serous life altering effects.
Xylazine slows breathing and heart rate, as well as decreases blood pressure, compounding some of the effects of opioids like fentanyl. Used alone or together with fentanyl, xylazine can induce a blackout for many hours, which makes people vulnerable to physical and sexual assault, robbery, and exposure
to the elements.
Xylazine produces withdrawal symptoms similar to those caused by opioids, but unlike those symptoms, there are no medications to treat xylazine withdrawal.
Xylazine and fentanyl mixtures place people who use drugs at a higher risk of fatal overdose. Because xylazine is a sedative and not an opioid, naloxone will not reverse an overdose of tranq.
However, because xylazine is often mixed with other opioids such as fentanyl or heroin, it is important to treat any overdose with naloxone to counter the effect of the opioids if present.
Asheville Recovery Center Is Here To Help
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction to Tranq or other substances, and want to learn more about the Tranq epidemic, reach out now to our team.
Located in Asheville, North Carolina, we have helped thousands of individuals find long term sobriety through our evidence based treatment program. It’s important to understand that you are not in this along. Call us today and begin your recovery journey.
