Tranq is the street name for Xylazine. Xylazine is a non-opiate sedative analgesic and muscle relaxant that is authorized, per the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), in the United States for veterinary use only. It was first discovered in illicit drugs in Puerto Rico, where authorities reported its abuse.
Approximately ten years later, the DEA, through laboratory analysis, also reported its use in illegal drugs. Xylazine is legitimately sold directly to veterinarians by pharmaceutical distributors. It is also available for purchase on internet sites in liquid and powder form. These other sites have no ties to the veterinary profession. Xylazine is an inexpensive drug and can be purchased from Chinese suppliers with prices ranging from $6 to $20 per kilogram. Due to its cheap price and psychoactive effects, drug dealers add this drug to mixtures of fentanyl and heroin.
Xylazine is promoted as providing a longer “high”. It is attractive to some users as it mirrors the effects of opioids but with longer lasting effects than with fentanyl alone. Although some users look for Xylazine to be added to their use of fentanyl or heroin, many are unaware that it has been added to their drugs when taking them. Some users find that the mixing of these drugs reduces the experience of euphoria they are seeking.
As Xylazine is not meant for human use, many adverse side effects can be seen. Users have reported cardiac and respiratory symptoms. Worse symptoms that have been experienced are seizures, coma and the amputation of limbs due to the fact that tissue infections are unable to be treated with medications.
When used in conjunction with other illegal substances, it has been listed as a contributory factor in drug overdoses that can lead to death. Xylazine is being increasingly detected in mixtures that include fentanyl. This is especially dangerous as Xylazine causes the respiratory system to become depressed (similar to opioids) and, as it does not have a reversal agent, can often lead to death. Narcan, although ineffective against Xylazine, should be used to reverse the effects of an overdose as it will counteract the effects of opioids that have been mixed into the drugs taken.