Xylazine Spreads Across the US: A Growing Component of the Increasingly Synthetic and Polysubstance Overdose Crisis

Original research
by
Friedman, Joseph et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

The national trends, geographic distribution, and health risks of Xylazine in combination with other substances are poorly characterized.

Findings/Key points

Fentanyl was found in 98% of xylazine-involved deaths, suggesting strong link. Ethnographic data suggest xylazine increases short duration of fentanyl's effects, adds euphoria. Xylazine presents novel health risks, e.g. abscesses, naloxone-resistant overdose.

Design/methods

Systematic record search

Keywords

Overdose
About PWUD
Illegal drugs
Drug checking