Xylazine, Tranq Dope, Tranq Wound, Tranq, and Fentanyl Dangers

Zombie Drug. The term “zombie drugs” describes several illegal drugs, such as Tranq, Flakka, and Xylazine, which can result in zombie-like behavior. The effects of these drugs on the user’s mental and physical health can be harmful and unpredictable, including hallucinations, aggression, and loss of consciousness. For instance, the synthetic cathinone Flakka can result in agitation, hyperthermia, and paranoia.


What Is Xylazine?

What is Tranq’s definition, or what Is Tranq D? You may be seeking information regarding a novel lethal substance that has surfaced within the illegal drug trade amidst the ongoing opioid epidemic in America.

The non-opioid sedative analgesic medication known as xylazine, or “tranq,” is often mixed with and utilized as an additive to other opioid drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. The efficacy of these medications may be enhanced or replicated through the concomitant use of tranquilizers. A tranquilizer is detectable in as much as 15% of fentanyl screenings.

Exposure to this combination of pollutants may have detrimental and even lethal effects on your health. The medication in question has been colloquially called a “zombie medication” due to its potential to cause necrotic skin ulcers, also known as Xylazine Wounds or Xylazine Sores, which can be distressing.

What Is Tranq Dope? (or Tranq Drugs, Xylazine Drug)

Xylazine is utilized by veterinarians as a sedative, anesthetic, tranquilizer, muscle relaxant, and analgesic to facilitate surgical procedures, ensure safe handling, and simplify diagnostic tests in animals. According to the xylazine schedule, please provide the recommended dosage and frequency of administration. Although the FDA approves it for use in elk, fallow deer, rodents, mule deer, sika deer, and white-tailed deer, it is commonly prescribed in varying doses for cats, dogs, horses (Xylazine Horse), sheep, and cattle.

Typically, xylazine (Tranqs) is co-administered with medications that have similar effects. It is common practice to administer a combination of xylazine and ketamine, or Ketamine Xylazine or Xylazine Ketamine, to ensure a stable anesthetic dosage.

Is Xylazine A Benzodiazepine?

Xylazine, a controlled substance, has been linked to many overdose fatalities nationwide amidst the rising drug addiction and overdose crisis. Although it is a veterinary sedative not authorized for human use, it has been implicated in these incidents.

Is Xylazine classified as a controlled substance? As per medical research, individuals exposed to Xylazine have been observed to frequently co-administer it with other substances, including illicit fentanyl, regardless of their awareness of the same.

According to recent studies, there has been a westward migration of overdose fatalities linked to xylazine in the United States. The Northeast region has been most severely affected, although the extent of national overdose deaths involving xylazine remains unclear.

In Pennsylvania, the prevalence of drug overdose fatalities, including xylazine, escalated from 2% to 26% from 2015 to 2020. In the state of Maryland, during the year 2021, 19% of fatalities resulting from drug overdose were associated with the use of xylazine. Similarly, in Connecticut in 2020, 10% of drug overdose deaths were attributed to xylazine.

There have been reports of individuals using fentanyl in combination with xylazine to prolong the duration of its euphoric effects. Studies have shown that xylazine is commonly mixed with illegal opioids, such as fentanyl. Most fatalities resulting from xylazine and fentanyl overdose were associated with the concomitant use of other substances, including but not limited to cocaine, heroin, benzodiazepines, alcohol, gabapentin, methadone, and prescription opioids.

Xylazine Abuse and Xylazine Drug Class (Xylazine Drug Classification)

Xylazine, commonly known as “tranq,” is a central nervous system depressant that may result in memory impairment, amnesia, and perilously reduced respiration levels, heart rate, and blood pressure.

The likelihood of a lethal overdose escalates with the utilization of opioids, xylazine, and other central nervous system depressants, including alcohol or benzodiazepines. Further information regarding the ramifications of polysubstance use can be obtained from the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Due to the common co-administration of xylazine with opioids, medical professionals recommend the utilization of the opioid overdose reversal agent naloxone in the event of a suspected xylazine overdose. Naloxone, though an opioid antagonist, does not mitigate the respiratory impact of xylazine due to its non-opioid nature.

The prevalence of xylazine in the illegal opioid market is causing concern among medical professionals, as it may potentially diminish the efficacy of naloxone in managing certain cases of drug overdose. It is imperative to notify emergency medical personnel of a suspected overdose promptly. Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for further information on strategies to prevent drug overdose.

Cutaneous ulcers, abscesses, and related complications have been observed in association with recurrent administration of xylazine, also known as Tranq Wounds or Tranq Necrosis. Patients have reported the administration of xylazine or its derivatives via intravenous, intranasal, oral, or inhalational routes.

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Tranq (Xylazine) Statistics


From 2015 to 2020, the percentage of all drug overdose deaths involving xylazine increased from 2% to 26% in Pennsylvania.

Source: NIDA

Among 45,676 overdose deaths reported to SUDORS during January–December 2019, xylazine-positive and xylazine-involved deaths were identified in 25 and 23 states, respectively. Xylazine was listed as a cause of death in 64.3% of deaths in which it was detected.

Source: CDC

Xylazine was involved in 19% of all drug overdose deaths in Maryland in 2021 and 10% in Connecticut in 2020.

Source: NIDA


Tranq (Xylazine) Factsheet

What is Tranq? (Xylazine)

The non-opioid sedative analgesic drug xylazine, also referred to as “tranq,” is frequently combined with (adulterated) and used as an additive with other opioid drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. The effects of these medications can be boosted or mimicked by blending tranq. In actuality, tranq is detected in up to 15% of fentanyl testing.

But being exposed to this combination of pollutants can have harmful, even fatal, impacts on your health. It has been termed a “zombie medication” because it can leave your skin with horrifying necrotic skin ulcers.


Tranq (Xylazine) Effects

  • Slowing down of the central nervous system.
  • Sedation.
  • Slow breathing.
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension).
  • Slow heart rate (bradycardia).
  • Severe, painful skin ulcers (necrotic skin lacerations) and abscesses.
  • Slowed wound healing.
  • Frequent, persistent, or worsening skin infections.
  • Eye problems like small pupils (miosis).
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
  • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
  • Drowsiness.
  • Amnesia.

How Is Tranq Used?

To enhance or alter the effects of Tranq, it is frequently combined with heroin, fentanyl, or cocaine. It produces a comparable euphoric or “high” feeling to what opioids do.

The drug is known as “speedball” when heroin and cocaine are the main ingredients. Other street names for it in the US, such as “tranq dope” or “sleep cut,” include tranq or “zombie dope.”

It is known as “Anestesia de Caballo” or “horse anesthesia” in Puerto Rico, where xylazine has been linked to the supply of opioids since the early 2000s.

The tainted substance enters the bloodstream of users in ways like these:

  • Smoking.
  • Snorting (Xylazine Powder).
  • Injecting (Xylazine Injection).
  • Swallowing.
  • Inhaling.

Xylazine can also be detected in small amounts in other medications. Benzodiazepines, alcohol, gabapentin, methadone, and prescription opioids might all fall within this category.

Attempts at sexual assault, intentional or unintentional poisoning, and drug misuse have all involved xylazine. The average Tranq price is around $30.

  1. Is xylazine flesh eating?

    Xylazine is not a medication that causes necrosis or tissue damage. This medication is a sedative commonly employed as a veterinary anesthetic. However, it has been discovered to be utilized illicitly as a recreational substance. Xylazine has been reported to induce a spectrum of adverse reactions in the body, such as sedation, confusion, vertigo, and respiratory depression.

    However, there is no evidence to suggest that it can elicit symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis. However, certain individuals who misuse xylazine or other substances may exhibit perilous and aggressive conduct, resulting in using the term “zombie drug” to characterize these agents.

  2. Is xylazine a controlled substance?

    Indeed, xylazine is classified as a controlled substance in numerous countries, including the United States. This substance is categorized as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States, indicating a low likelihood of abuse and dependence. Nonetheless, it remains regulated owing to its potential for misuse and unfavorable consequences. It is primarily utilized as a veterinary anesthetic but has been illicitly employed as a sedative and hallucinogen in humans.

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Xylazine Side Effects In Humans: Xylazine Side Effects (Tranq Dope Effects)

Xylazine Effects: Medications containing traces of tranquilizers can result in detrimental side effects if taken excessively. In cases of severe overdose, fatality may ensue.

An overdose of opioids and exposure to tranquilizers may present with closely resembling symptoms. It may comprise of:

Drugs with traces of tranq can have harmful adverse effects if you overdose on them. In extreme circumstances, an overdose might result in death.
Drugs with traces of tranq can have harmful adverse effects if you overdose on them. In extreme circumstances, an overdose might result in death.
  • Slowing down the central nervous system refers to decreased brain and spinal cord activity, leading to slower cognitive and motor functions.
  • Sedation: This is a state of reduced consciousness, calmness, and relaxation, often induced by drugs.
  • Slow breathing refers to a decrease in the rate or depth of breathing, which can cause oxygen levels in the blood and carbon dioxide levels to rise.
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension): This condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is too low, leading to dizziness, fainting, and organ damage.
  • Slow heart rate (bradycardia): This condition where the heart beats slower than normal, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the body.
  • Severe, painful skin ulcers (necrotic skin lacerations) and abscesses refer to open sores on the skin that are infected and may require surgical intervention.
  • Slowed wound healing (Xylazine Flesh Eating): This refers to the delayed healing of wounds and the potential for secondary infections, which can be exacerbated by drug use.
  • Frequent, persistent, or worsening skin infections: This refers to skin infections that may not heal or worsen over time, often due to weakened immunity caused by drug use.
  • Eye problems like small pupils (miosis): This is a condition where the pupils of the eyes become smaller, often as a side effect of drug use.
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): This condition where blood sugar levels drop too low, which can cause weakness, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness.
  • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia): This is a condition where blood sugar levels rise too high, leading to organ damage and other health complications.
  • Drowsiness: This refers to a state of feeling sleepy or lethargic, often as a side effect of drug use.
  • Amnesia is a loss of memory or the inability to form new memories caused by drug use or other factors.

Xylazine Withdrawal Symptoms and Xylazine Overdose

There is no standardized treatment protocol for tranq exposure and overdose, unlike frequently encountered opioids such as fentanyl or heroin. As tranq is commonly co-administered with opioids, medical professionals may administer naloxone (Narcan) injections to mitigate the effects of the opioid. However, naloxone is ineffective in treating tranquilizer exposure.

The potency of opioids present in tranq is such that multiple doses of naloxone may be necessary to counteract their effects and revive an individual who has been exposed. However, the respiratory and cardiovascular complications induced by the tranquilizer are not ameliorated. Additionally, there is currently no pharmacological intervention available to manage withdrawal symptoms.

The primary approach to managing an overdose of Tranq would be supportive care. This suggests that in the event of hospitalization, you will be administered saline eye irrigation and intravenous fluids (IV).

The medical team will assess your blood pressure and glucose levels, provide electrolyte replacement therapy, conduct electrocardiogram testing, administer cardiac medications, and provide respiratory support. Medical professionals administer antidotes such as atipamezole and yohimbine for xylazine toxicity in veterinary medicine. However, it is important to note that the FDA has not yet approved these antidotes for human use.

Antidote For Xylazine: Xylazine Antidote (Xylazine Reversal)

There is currently no known cure for an overdose of xylazine in humans. Therefore, the primary approach to treatment is providing supportive care. The efficacy of naloxone in reversing the clinical manifestations of xylazine overdose has yielded inconsistent results. The occurrence of an inadequate response to naloxone may suggest the potential co-ingestion of xylazine or another non-opioid substance. Given the common co-administration of xylazine and opioids, administering naloxone may be considered a therapeutic option for mitigating the associated symptoms of opioid use.

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How Is Tranq Used?

In the majority of cases, Tranq, found in public areas, is often mixed with heroin, fentanyl, or cocaine to augment or alteroduces a similar euphoric or analgesic effect as opioids.

The substance commonly referred to as “speedball” combines heroin and cocaine. In the medical field, this substance is commonly called “sedative-hypnotic medication” and may also be known by its generic or brand name.

The ingestion of this contaminated substance can lead to its absorption into the bloodstream through various routes, such as:

  • Smoking.
  • Snorting.
  • Injecting.
  • Swallowing.
  • Inhaling.

Trace amounts of Xylazine may also be discernible in certain pharmaceutical preparations. Benzodiazepines, ethanol, gabapentin, methadone, and prescription opioids may all be classified under this category. Xylazine has been implicated in incidents of sexual assault, deliberate or accidental poisoning, and substance abuse.

Tranq is known as "speedball" when it is mostly mixed with heroin and cocaine.
Tranq is known as “speedball” when it is mostly mixed with heroin and cocaine.

Xylazine Test Strips

Currently, there are no rapid or effortless drug screening methods to detect remnants of tranquilizers. Tranq is not currently detectable through conventional drug testing or toxicology screenings to identify illicit substances such as opioids. To detect any traces of xylazine in your body, further comprehensive screenings or blood examinations will be required by your physician.

A skin biopsy may be performed by a medical professional if the patient presents with significant skin lesions. To ascertain the etiology, a biopsy of the cutaneous tissue from the affected region will be obtained and subjected to microscopic analysis. Medical professionals may conduct wound cultures, which involve taking a wound swab to identify any microorganisms responsible for the infection.

The following diagnostic tests can detect the presence of tranquilizers:

  • Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a laboratory technique used to separate and identify different components of a mixture based on their physical and chemical properties.
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a diagnostic tool used in the medical field.

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We Level Up Traq Dope and Xylazine Addiction Treatment

The definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions. However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder simultaneously. Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse.

Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success.  A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care. 

We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction.  That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.

Accepting that you may be living with a mental illness can be challenging. However, treating the presenting substance abuse case can be magnitudes easier once properly diagnosed and treated. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions.  If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.

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