What is Tranq? Understanding the Dangers of Xylazine in Street Drugs

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace expert medical or mental health advice. Tranq misuse requires a comprehensive physical and psychiatric evaluation by a qualified clinician. So, always refer to a board-certified physician or a licensed mental health specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

Xylazine (colloquially known as tranq) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for veterinary use. However, it has found its way into the market as tranq. It is known for being a non-opioid sedative analgesic medication, even though it has still not been approved for human use. While being an illicit substance, tranq is connected with serious health risks as it can lead to life-threatening conditions.

In this article, we shall aim to understand what tranq is and its dangers, so that you can make informed decisions regarding your safety and well-being.

Xylazine, or tranq, was first created in 1962 and has been consistently used by veterinarians to tranquilize animals and even as a pain relief medication. The xylazine brand names it is commonly sold under are AnaSed, Chanazine, Rompun, and Sedazine.

Xylazine has never been approved or prescribed for human use until now. Nevertheless, tranq has been used as an additive with substances. It also has a great potential for misuse and dependence.

Dr. Ryan Peterson, a highly experienced physician at the NuView Treatment Center, warns, “One of the most concerning complications of tranq is that it can give rise to necrotic skin ulcers, which is why the tranq drug is also sometimes referred to as a zombie drug. In fact, when mixed with other illicit substances, tranq can become extremely dangerous and lead to overdose and other life-threatening conditions.”

Tranq is a central nervous system depressant, like barbiturates or benzodiazepines. It slows down the brain’s activity and is known for its relaxing, tranquilizing effects. While this can seem pleasing, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that it also impacts the mind and body in other unwanted ways:

• Drowsiness and sedation
• Memory troubles
• Miosis (small eye pupils)
• Breathing difficulties
• Low blood pressure
• Slowed heart rate
• Withdrawal symptoms, upon reducing or stopping its use
• Slowed wound healing
• Necrotic skin ulcers
• Overdose
• Coma
• Fatality.

Dr. Peterson informs, “Signs like frequent nodding off and skin infections can be early red flags of tranq use. If you notice these signs, encourage the person to contact their primary healthcare provider immediately. Tranq use can lead to a number of health complications and life-threatening conditions. In severe cases, it can also lead to coma or death.”

Tranq can seem initially pleasing, but it leads to very drastic, unwanted effects in the long run.

Clinical reviews and insight have noted that repeated tranq use leads to necrotic skin ulcers, as tranq reduces blood flow and slows down wound healing. These ulcers have a dark coloration and emit an unpleasant odor. They are very dangerous in that they are painful and erode the skin layers, exposing the underlying tissues. While these skin ulcers can be treated, albeit with great difficulty - in severe cases, surgical intervention, and even possible amputation, may be required.

When tranq is injected, sharing needles or syringes can lead to increased risk of bacterial infections, infective endocarditis (a heart condition), and even hepatitis C and HIV infections.

Tranq has emerged as a growing reason for the overdose crisis in the U.S. The CDC reports that fentanyl-related overdose deaths involving the use of xylazine increased 276% between 2019 and 2022. In fact, xylazine has also been present in 1.8% of overdose-related deaths.

Tranq is commonly used to lace other illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and other psychoactive substances. It is generally used to prolong the high. Tranq is then smoked, snorted, inhaled, injected, or even swallowed.

However, some people who have used tranq along with other substances like fentanyl (known as tranq dope) have also reported not liking its effects and suggest that it is an unwanted additive that they could very well do without.

Tranq overdose is common when it is mixed with opioids. So, whenever a tranq overdose is suspected, call emergency services immediately. In the meantime, naloxone (opioid overdose-reversal medication) is used to restore normal breathing levels. Typically, several doses are needed.

Naloxone will not reverse xylazine itself, but it can reverse opioids (such as fentanyl) that are often mixed with it. Xylazine is not an opioid, so naloxone cannot reverse its sedation. The person may stay heavily sedated even after naloxone works. This is expected and does not mean naloxone has failed. However, immediate medical attention is still required.

Supportive care involves intravenous fluids and saline eye irrigation. As a tranq overdose slows down heart rate and breathing, vitals are constantly monitored, and heart medications and breathing support are also provided.

If you suspect a tranq overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately. Administer naloxone (Narcan) in the meantime - this can be a life-saving move.

If the person is not breathing normally, give rescue breaths. If they are breathing, lay them on their side. Stay with them until help arrives.

Presently, there are no FDA-approved medications that treat tranq addiction, so it is mainly treated using psychotherapeutic interventions. However, withdrawal and polysubstance use (with opioids) will require medical supervision.

Common therapeutic modalities to treat tranq addiction are used are:

• Motivational Interviewing (MI): MI focuses on your inner motivations to quit substance use and move toward recovery.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT identifies and challenges negative thinking and emotional patterns leading to tranq use, and will equip you with healthy coping strategies to deal with cravings, triggers, and stressors.

• Contingency Management: It is a behavioral technique that seeks to reward and reinforce positive behaviors, such as abstinence and attending therapy.

• 12-Step Facilitation Therapy: It is a semi-structured therapy that uses the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to encourage you toward sobriety and recovery.

• Aftercare Planning: Aftercare planning involves ongoing therapy, relapse prevention, peer support, lifestyle modifications, and sober living to ensure a consistent level of care for a lasting recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling with tranq use or polysubstance use, we understand how challenging it can be. Still, the encouraging news is - no matter where you are - recovery can be your tangible reality.

Reach out to NuView today! We provide holistic, personalized recovery options that are meant to meet you where you are so that you can heal from tranq use in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Call (323) 307-7997.

1. Is tranq addictive on its own or only when mixed with opioids?

Peer-reviewed studies in journals like The New England Journal of Medicine have linked xylazine (tranq) with physiological dependence and symptoms consistent with substance use disorder, like withdrawal symptoms.

2. Does tranq show up on standard drug tests?

No, tranq does not show up on standard drug tests, like urine tests. It needs specific toxicology screening. This means tranq use can often go unnoticed in testing.

3. Can tranq use affect mental health?

Yes, chronic use has been linked to worsening cognitive difficulties and mental health symptoms over a period of time.

4. Are tranq-related skin ulcers always caused by injections?

Not really. Tranq-related skin ulcers can develop even without injecting, as xylazine reduces blood flow and slows down wound healing.

5. Is there any medication specifically approved to treat tranq misuse?

No, there are no FDA-approved medications for tranq misuse, which is why it is majorly and effectively treated with therapy.