Understanding the rising abuse of veterinary medicine xylazine: a review

Xylazine, the new “zombie drug” is a veterinary medicine utilized for anesthesia, sedation, muscle relaxation and pain relief, to facilitate the approach of medical examinations, X rays, minor superficial surgeries, and any other painful manipulative procedure across a variety of species. Xylazine use as an adulterant among other drugs of abuse like heroin and fentanyl was first reported in Puerto Rico in 2006. Over time it has made its way to illicit drug trades, implicated in xylazine-positive overdose deaths. It acts as an ‘Alpha 2 Adrenergic Agonist’ and accelerates the activation of ‘inhibitory neurons’ in CNS. Owing to its inhibitory effects, prolonged duration of action and easy accessibility, xylazine serves widely as a recreational drug. Its long-drawn abuse aggravates toxic effects including hypotension, necrotic skin lesion, respiratory and CNS depression and cardiac arrest.

Xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer, not approved for human use by the FDA has emerged as a new drug of abuse on the streets. Multiple studies suggest a high rise in xylazine associated overdose deaths especially in the United States due to its endemic region of Puerto Rico, where it is widely and easily available. FDA has issued a high alert highlighting rise in “zombie drug” abuse. Awareness of xylazine and its fatal outcomes among public is of immense importance in preventing its abuse.