(March 24, 2023) – On March 20, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued a public safety alert regarding the widespread threat of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as "tranq," is a powerful sedative approved by the Food and Drug Administration for veterinary use. Xylazine and fentanyl drug mixtures have been seized by the DEA in 48 of 50 states as of the date of the alert. The xylazine/fentanyl mixture places users at a higher risk of suffering fatal drug poisoning. Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone does not reverse its effects; however, experts always recommend administering naloxone if someone might be suffering from drug poisoning. The FDA recently alerted health care providers about the risks to patients exposed to xylazine in illicit drugs. The DEA also published an October 2022 Joint Intelligence Report – The Growing Threat of Xylazine and its Mixture with Illicit Drugs.
--Karen Braman