Doctors are baffled by a new street d**g being marketed in Philadelphia, the epicenter of America’s opioid crisis. Public health officials are concerned about its spread and the horrific wounds it causes in its users’ bodies.
Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” “tranq dope,” and “zombie d**g,” is the most recent dangerous poison to hit town. Sedative-like side effects, such as profound drowsiness and respiratory depression, are caused by the medicine and result in videos of people who are unable to stand.
The compound was used to cut heroin, but more recently, it has been found in fentanyl and other illegal substances. It appears to first appear in Philadelphia before moving west to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Xylazine, a non-opioid permitted for veterinary use by the Food and D**g Administration, is unsafe for human consumption, and those who overdose on it do not respond to naloxone, also known as Narcan, the most widely used overdose reversal medication.
With repeated exposure, xylazine can result in sedative-like symptoms such as excessive tiredness and respiratory depression as well as open wounds that can quickly develop severely. If left untreated, the crusty ulcerations, which can develop into dead skin called eschar, may require amputation. “Tranq” falls into a perplexing and scary grey area because it is not recognized as a prohibited substance for humans or animals; hospitals hardly ever test for it with regular toxicology testing.
‘Zombie drug’ wreaking havoc in the US. #zombies #Health https://t.co/ipYyJX15A7
— ETimes Lifestyle (@ETimesLifestyle) February 23, 2023
Tranq essentially turns individuals into zombies. I had never suffered any wounds before nine months ago. Today, my legs and feet have holes in them, Sam, a 28-year-old male, told Sky News. Because xylazine acts as a tranquilizer, higher doses entirely knock users out.
Fentanyl cut with xylazine may lead users to pass asleep and wake up many hours later, in contrast to opioids’ blissful semi-awakeness. Anyone who uses d**gs in this way increases their risk of becoming hurt, such as from a vehicle accident or a s*xual assault.
Since “tranq” is not classified as a prohibited substance for either people or animals, leaving it in a puzzling and terrifying grey area, hospitals rarely test for it using standard toxicology testing. The psychoactive effects of substances are enhanced when combined with xylazine, boosting the enjoyment of d**g use.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and sellers frequently use synthetic d**gs. New formulations, enable extending the market reach and revenue through lower-cost methods of producing products with high potencies.
READ NEXT: What Happened To EDP445? Why Did EDP445 Delete His Channel?
FAQs
What does xylazine do to the skin?
The drug causes drowsiness and respiratory depression. The most distressing symptom, however, is raw, crusty skin ulcers that spread from the injection site. If left untreated, the skin wounds decompensate quickly and can be so severe that the infected body part may require amputation.
What is another name for xylazine?
Xylazine is also known as “tranq,” “tranq dope,” and “zombie drug.”
What wounds are caused by xylazine?
Xylazine exposure can cause severe and persistent skin, muscle, nerve, and soft tissue wounds.
How long does xylazine stay in your system?
It has a rapid onset and can last for 8 hours or longer depending on the dose, how it was taken, and whether it was mixed with an opioid or another drug.
