What is Tranq and why is it so bad? If you’re asking, many others are asking the same thing, “What is this new Tranq drug and is it dangerous?”. Whitehouse.gov says, Xylazine is an easily accessible veterinary drug approved for use in animals as a sedative and pain reliever. It is also being used by drug dealers as a low-cost cutting agent in drugs like fentanyl, possibly as a way to extend a user’s high.”
What is Tranq?
Tranq is basically, a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and amnesia and slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels. It can also lull people into a state of unconsciousness for hours, increasing their risk for robbery or assault. It can slow the heart rate and lower your blood pressure. With chronic use, Tranq causes dramatic, disfiguring “Tranq wounds”, usually on a person’s legs or arms.
Untested in humans, xylazine is a non-opiate sedative that forms a potentially lethal cocktail when combined with the already deadly opioid fentanyl. Notably, xylazine does not respond to naloxone, known by the brand name Narcan, which is used to reverse fentanyl overdoses.
What are Tranq Wounds?
The use of Xylazine-laced fentanyl can cause open “Tranq wounds” to form on the body. These wounds can become so severely infected that amputation is necessary. The flesh-eating effect of xylazine has caused some to describe its victims as reminiscent of “Walking Dead” zombies.
The Tranq Drug – A Public Safety Alert
The DEA Now Reports Widespread Threat of Xylazine Mixed with Fentanyl
“Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, Fentanyl, even deadlier,” said Administrator Milgram. “The DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 States. The DEA Laboratory System is reporting that in 2022 approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of Fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained Xylazine.”
Fentanyl and Xylazine drug mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug overdose and or drug poisoning. Xylazine is not an opioid, this is why, Naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects. Still, experts always recommend administering Naloxone if someone might be suffering a Tranq drug poisoning or overdose.
People who inject drug mixtures containing Xylazine also can develop life threatining, severe wounds, including necrosis – the rotting of human tissue -that may lead to amputation or even death if left untreated.
According to the CDC, 107,735 Americans died between August 2021 and August 2022 from drug poisonings and overdoses, with 66 percent of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like Fentanyl. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico, is using chemicals largely sourced from China, which are primarily responsible for the vast majority of the Fentanyl that is being trafficked in communities across the United States.
The FDA recently communicated to health care providers about the risks to patients exposed to Xylazine in illicit drugs. A copy of that communication can be found here: FDA alerts healthcare professionals of risks to patients exposed to xylazine in illicit drugs.
What is Xylasine?
Xylazine (ZY-leh-zeen) is a tranquilizer used by veterinarians. It is not approved for use in humans. It’s sometimes used as a street drug when mixed with other drugs (mainly fentanyl) to increase the effects and lower the price. Such use can lead to serious medical problems and death by overdose.
Tranq Addiction Help
At Asheville Recovery Center, we’re here to help if you or a loved one is in need of addiction treatment. Asheville Recovery Center helps individuals in North Carolina get into recovery for many different types of drug addictions.
Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our addiction treatment professionals and get help with your addiction today.
