The Deadly Duo: Understanding the Dangers of Fentanyl and Xylazine

The presence of increasingly dangerous adulterants is being mixed into illegal substances, putting many at higher risk for a drug overdose. Recently, the DEA issued a public safety alert highlighting a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine, a powerful sedative used in veterinary medicine. This lethal combination of fentanyl and xylazine poses significant dangers, as both substances are strong sedatives that can enhance each other’s effects, potentially leading to respiratory failure. Moreover, this mixture is being detected as an additive in various street drugs, including heroin and cocaine.

Xylazine is a veterinary analgesic, sedative, and muscle relaxant particularly used in horses and cattle. It is not intended for human consumption and its effects on humans can cause severe sedation, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and respiratory depression. Fentanyl, on the other hand, is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and has significantly fueled the opioid crisis due to its rampant illegal use. While fentanyl alone can be fatal in small amounts, xylazine’s sedative effects further compound this risk. Additionally, the combination of xylazine and fentanyl reversing an overdose from this combination is particularly challenging. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist designed to counteract opioid overdoses, is ineffective against xylazine. Consequently, even if naloxone is administered, the individual may still suffer from the sedative effects of xylazine, leading to prolonged unconsciousness and other serious health complications.

 

How Does Combined Drug Toxicity Cause Death?

Xylazine, commonly referred to as “tranq,” can be used independently, but it is more frequently combined with fentanyl. The DEA reports that xylazine is legally distributed to veterinarians through pharmaceutical channels. However, drug traffickers are sourcing it online from Chinese suppliers, with prices typically between $6 and $20 per kilogram. This makes it an inexpensive additive that enhances profits by allowing traffickers to use less fentanyl or heroin in their mixtures. Xylazine is known to produce effects similar to those of other opioids, but it lasts longer than fentanyl alone, appealing to users seeking an extended high. While some individuals deliberately seek out heroin or fentanyl-laced with xylazine, many are unaware that it is present as an adulterant.

The dangers of combining fentanyl and xylazine include the risk of overdose, which can be fatal or nonfatal. Both substances act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, leading to drowsiness, slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, and low blood pressure. When these CNS depressants are mixed, their sedative effects are amplified, resulting in increased respiratory depression and cardiovascular complications. An overdose occurs when drug levels in the body become toxic. The primary cause of death in such cases is oxygen deprivation due to breathing that has either slowed down or completely stopped, which can halt the functioning of vital organs like the heart and brain. Without oxygen, brain damage can begin within three to five minutes, potentially leading to death. Additionally, an overdose of opioids and other CNS depressants can impair the gag reflex, increasing the risk of choking on vomit. Even if an overdose does not result in death, it can still lead to lasting damage to the brain and heart.

Why Are Drug Interactions Dangerous?

According to the Food and Drug Administration, drug interactions may make drugs less effective, cause unexpected side effects, or increase the action of a particular drug. Combining any drugs, whether they are prescribed or recreational, poses significant risks, making it crucial to consult healthcare professionals before mixing medications. Fentanyl and xylazine mixture effects are dangerous due to the heightened effects of both drugs. Mixing central nervous system (CNS) depressants can lead to severe consequences such as respiratory depression, coma, or even death, as their sedative properties intensify each other.

On the other hand, combining stimulants with depressants can also be perilous, as they send conflicting signals to the brain and body, resulting in unpredictable reactions. This interaction often masks the effects of each drug, leading individuals to consume more, which increases the risk of overdose. While some may intentionally engage in polysubstance use, the alarming rise of dangerous adulterants in the illicit drug market has led many to unknowingly mix substances, exacerbating the overdose crisis in the United States.

Can Xylazine Cause Necrosis?

Xylazine is not approved for human use and can lead to serious side effects, including the risk of addiction and overdose. One of the most alarming reactions in humans is necrosis, or the death of tissue. This condition often arises from the misuse of xylazine, particularly through injection. As an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, xylazine triggers vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow to various tissues. When blood supply is compromised, those tissues suffer from a lack of oxygen and nutrients, ultimately resulting in tissue death. The dangers are amplified when xylazine is injected, as this method can severely damage the injection site and further restrict blood flow, hindering the healing process. Consequently, the affected area may become infected and, in severe cases, lead to gangrene, necessitating surgical procedures such as amputation.

Does Naloxone Work with Depressants Like Xylazine?

Naloxone is a medication specifically designed to counteract opioid overdoses quickly. It functions by blocking opioid receptor sites, making it ineffective against other depressants like xylazine, which targets alpha-2 adrenergic sites that naloxone cannot influence. Unfortunately, there is currently no approved antidote for xylazine in humans. Naloxone may be ineffective when treating a fentanyl overdose with xylazine presence. Additionally, identifying xylazine overdoses in clinical environments can be challenging, as their symptoms often mimic those of opioid overdoses and may not show up in standard drug tests. Nevertheless, administering naloxone is still advisable for any overdose of uncertain origin, as it can help restore normal breathing in cases involving opioids, potentially saving a life, and it is safe to use even if opioids are not present. Naloxone ineffectiveness in xylazine overdoses is a driving cause of rising overdose deaths in these cases.

Get Help for Fentanyl and Xylazine Addiction at WhiteSands Treatment

The dangers of combining fentanyl and xylazine cannot be underestimated, as these substances pose significant health risks including addiction, overdose, organ damage, and even death. However, seeking out help at WhiteSands Treatment can significantly reduce these risks and help pave the way for a healthier, more fulfilling life. We provide essential resources for those facing addiction, including counseling, therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and support groups. Our tailored treatment programs are designed by skilled clinicians who focus on the root causes of addiction, equipping patients with the necessary coping mechanisms and strategies for sustainable recovery. We offer a range of services, including medical detox, inpatient care, outpatient programs, and aftercare support, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive professional guidance throughout their recovery process.

With emerging adulterants in the street drug supply, the likelihood of overdose and death is at an all-time high, but seeking treatment for drug addiction can empower you to conquer substance abuse and avoid becoming another statistic in the ongoing U.S. overdose crisis. If you or someone you care about is struggling with fentanyl and xylazine addiction, recovery is possible. Contact WhiteSands Treatment today at 877-855-3470 to learn more about your addiction treatment options.

 

External Sources

• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) – DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine
• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) – The Growing Threat of Xylazine and its Mixture with Illicit Drugs
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Drug Interactions: What You Should Know

 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.