Xylazine Information

Xylazine may be present in substances people don鈥檛 expect, increasing the risk of accidental overdose and serious health complications. This page provides information to help you understand xylazine, why it鈥檚 dangerous and what you can do to reduce harm and respond in an emergency.

探花视频 Xylazine

Xylazine (also known as 鈥渢ranq鈥) is a non鈥憃pioid veterinary tranquilizer commonly used to sedate large animals like horses. While it is FDA鈥慳pproved for animal use, xylazine is not safe for humans and can cause serious, life鈥憈hreatening effects.

Xylazine has been found mixed into:

  • Fentanyl
  • Cocaine
  • Counterfeit prescription pills

Although xylazine is not an opioid, it is a central nervous system depressant. It can cause:

  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Memory loss
  • Slow breathing
  • Low heart rate and blood pressure

When combined with opioids, alcohol or benzodiazepines, the risk of fatal overdose increases significantly.

Xylazine Presence and Trends

Xylazine鈥檚 true prevalence is difficult to track because:

  • Xylazine is not always included in toxicology testing
  • Overdoses involving xylazine may be under鈥憆eported

Public health agencies have reported increasing detection of xylazine across the U.S. In 2022, the DEA reported that about 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of counterfeit fentanyl pills tested positive for xylazine.

Why Xylazine Is Especially Dangerous

Xylazine increases overdose risk for several reasons:

  • It is often mixed with fentanyl or sold in counterfeit pills
  • People usually don鈥檛 know it鈥檚 present
  • Its effects can look like an opioid overdose
  • There is no approved antidote for xylazine overdose in humans

Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone will not reverse its effects. However, naloxone should always be given in an overdose situation because xylazine is frequently mixed with opioids like fentanyl. Always call 911 if xylazine or opioid overdose is suspected.

Additionally, people who inject substances containing xylazine may develop severe skin wounds, including:

  • Open sores
  • Necrotic (dead) tissue
  • Infections that spread quickly

These wounds can appear far from the injection site and can become life鈥憈hreatening if untreated, and prompt medical care is critical.

Ways to Reduce Risk and Stay Safer

The safest way to avoid xylazine鈥憆elated harm is to avoid using substances not prescribed by a healthcare provider. If you or someone you know chooses to use, these strategies can help reduce risk.

Please note: Due to the unpredictability of fentanyl and xylazine, there is no foolproof way to prevent overdose when using drugs not received directly from a pharmacy or not as prescribed from a pharmacy.

Know what you鈥檙e using

Assume that any pill or drug not purchased directly from a pharmacy could contain fentanyl, xylazine or both, including:

  • Cocaine
  • Heroin or meth
  • Counterfeit prescription pills (Xanax, Oxy, Percocet, Adderall)
Carry naloxone

Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse opioid overdoses and should always be used in a suspected overdose, even if xylazine may be involved.

  • Naloxone will not reverse xylazine effects
  • Multiple doses may be needed for fentanyl
  • It will not harm someone if opioids are not present

Free naloxone is available for 探花视频 students, staff and faculty at Health Promotion (Wardenburg Health Center, third floor).

Avoid using alone
  • Be with someone who is sober if possible
  • Plan check鈥慽ns if using alone
  • Make sure naloxone is accessible and others know how to use it
Start small and go slow
  • Use the smallest amount possible
  • Wait before using more
  • Potency and contamination can vary pill to pill
Use fentanyl test strips
  • Free fentanyl test strips are available at Health Promotion
  • Testing can reduce harm but does not guarantee safety
  • Test strips do not detect xylazine
  • Xylazine is often present alongside fentanyl
Be aware of tolerance changes

Periods of sobriety lower tolerance. If use resumes:

  • Start with much less than before
  • Changes in tolerance increase overdose risk

Recognize an Overdose and Respond Quickly

Common overdose signs include:

  • Sudden drowsiness
  • Unresponsiveness or passing out
  • Slow or stopped breathing
  • Reduced heart rate
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Blue or gray lips or fingernails
  • Gurgling or heavy snoring sounds

What to do:

  • Call 911 and stay with the person
  • Check breathing and pulse
  • Administer naloxone
  • Try to wake them
  • Give rescue breaths if needed
  • Place them in the recovery position

Good news: 颁鲍鈥檚 Amnesty Policy and Colorado鈥檚 can protect you from disciplinary action or prosecution if you call for help and stay with the person.

Campus Resources

Free naloxone and fentanyl test strips: All students can pick up free party smarter supplies, including naloxone, fentanyl test strips and more at the Health Promotion office at Wardenburg (third floor). Learn more about naloxone availability.听听

Free substance use workshops: Students can reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances. Workshops are educational, and not therapy or treatment.

Collegiate Recovery Community: Weekly support meetings, substance-free activities and connection for students considering, pursuing or in recovery from substances and other unwanted behaviors.

Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS): Services related to substance use include assessments, brief individual therapy, support for concerned friends and family and referrals to recovery and other community resources.

Community Resources

: A free, legal and anonymous harm reduction program that provides free supplies, disposal programs and referrals. Their goal is to reduce the risks of disease and overdose deaths across Boulder County communities.

: Connects community members with pharmacies and other sites that offer naloxone.

: Works toward preventing fatal overdoses, destigmatizing substance use disorders (SUDs), promoting harm reduction and supporting affected individuals into treatment and recovery.

: Offers a free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information hotline for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders.