Xylazine Adulteration of the Heroin-Fentanyl Drug Supply : A Narrative Review

Ann Intern Med. 2023 Oct;176(10):1370-1376. doi: 10.7326/M23-2001. Epub 2023 Oct 10.

Abstract

Xylazine is an animal sedative, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that is commonly used in veterinary medicine and is not approved for human use. Since 2016, xylazine has consistently appeared in the illicitly manufactured fentanyl supply and has significantly increased in prevalence, likely due to its low cost, easy availability, and presumed synergistic psychoactive effect. Clinical experience along with the available pertinent research were used to review xylazine adulteration of the drug supply and provide guidance on the care of patients exposed to xylazine. This review discusses xylazine pharmacology, animal and human clinical effects, and what is known to date about care of patients experiencing acute overdose, xylazine-fentanyl withdrawal, and xylazine-associated wounds.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Drug Overdose* / drug therapy
  • Fentanyl / adverse effects
  • Heroin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs* / adverse effects
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Xylazine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Fentanyl
  • Heroin
  • Xylazine
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Analgesics, Opioid