Xylazine
What is Xylazine?
Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer, also known as “tranq.”
Xylazine has been seen alongside fentanyl in counterfeit or contaminated substances.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (GA DPH) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have both issued public safety alerts regarding the contamination of pills and powders with both fentanyl & xylazine.
DEA Public safety announcement
GA DPH
Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer, also known as “tranq.”
Xylazine has been seen alongside fentanyl in counterfeit or contaminated substances.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (GA DPH) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have both issued public safety alerts regarding the contamination of pills and powders with both fentanyl & xylazine.
DEA Public safety announcement
GA DPH
How to identify it
Signs and symptoms, which can mimic an opioid overdose:
Signs and symptoms, which can mimic an opioid overdose:
- Dry mouth
- Severe drowsiness or falling asleep
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Slow heart rate
Why is Xylazine dangerous?
Xylazine is often seen added in combination with fentanyl, which can be found in counterfeit pills and powders like cocaine.
If you suspect an opioid overdose, it is still safe to administer naloxone. However, it is important to note that the effects of xylazine can NOT be reversed by naloxone, as it is NOT an opioid. This is why calling 911 is extremely important when administering Naloxone! Medical Amnesty and Responsible Action protocol help protect both the caller and patient from drug-related prosecution.
Xylazine is often seen added in combination with fentanyl, which can be found in counterfeit pills and powders like cocaine.
If you suspect an opioid overdose, it is still safe to administer naloxone. However, it is important to note that the effects of xylazine can NOT be reversed by naloxone, as it is NOT an opioid. This is why calling 911 is extremely important when administering Naloxone! Medical Amnesty and Responsible Action protocol help protect both the caller and patient from drug-related prosecution.
FAQ
- Remember assume that any pill or drug not purchased directly from a pharmacy could contain fentanyl, xylazine, or other adulterated substances
- Due to low quality control during the manufacturing of substances, it is difficult to know what is in the substance and how it is distributed within the pill or powder. The most accurate way to use fentanyl test strips requires that all the drugs someone plans to consume are dissolved in water. Testing only a small sample of the substance may not produce accurate results.
- While fentanyl testing strips can be helpful if there is a positive test result (indicating the entire batch needs to be thrown out), negative test results can get a little more complicated.
- Negative test results are not a reliable way to indicate that the substance is safe. There may be a false negative because the strip can only detect negative results on the portion of the pill or powder which was dissolved and tested. Therefore, someone could test one part of the pill and get a negative result, however the other part of the pill could contain fentanyl.
**While fentanyl is a commonly seen contaminant, there are other products and drugs that may not be detectable through fentanyl testing strips (i.e., xylazine) and have adverse effects.
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/basas/fentanyl-test-strips-brochure.pdf
- Departments, student groups or UGA organizations requesting access a OneBox can email Liz Prince at lprince@uhs.uga.edu.
- University Health Center Pharmacy: Students can access naloxone/Narcan through the University Health Center’s pharmacy. For more information about insurance and individual costs please contact UHC Pharmacy at 706-542-9979.