Xylazine

  • Xylazine, also referred to as “tranq,” is a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer increasingly associated with overdose deaths in the United States. It is a central nervous system depressant and can cause respiratory depression. When used in combination with opioids such as fentanyl, it can have a synergistic effect and increase risk of overdose. 
  • Although xylaxine’s exact prevalence in U.S. drug supply is not known, recent data suggest its distribution is largest in the Northeast and spreading toward the west. To date, the vast majority of xylazine-involved deaths also involve fentanyl. 
  • Read more from the RCORP-TA Best Practice of the Month, "Xylazine in Unregulated Drug Supply and Health Considerations". Click below for various other resources on this topic. 

General/Misc

Webinars

  • Learning Thursdays: Xylazine – a webinar where Dr. Ramsey, Chief of Medical Services at OASAS, leads a discussion about xylazine (A PDF of the Power Point that accompanies this webinar is in the Google Drive folder mentioned above).
  • Xylazine effects on wounds: Why and how we care – a webinar where Rebecca A. Hosey, from the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, provides an overview on xylazine-associated wounds and wound care.

One Pagers and Articles

Journal Articles

Other Publications

Learning Opportunities

Xylazine Test Strip Instructions

Xylazine Test Strips

Research

Research