A new drug named ‘Xylazine’ aka “Zombie Drug,” or “Tranq,” or “Tranq Dope,” has been causing a great effect on the streets of America. This drug has taken a strong root in major American cities like Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
Zombie drug- Xylazine
America has always been facing problems due to drug overdose. The death records states that there is at least one death per hour occuring due to drug overdose.
Xylazine is a sedative-like drug which can be used as a muscle relaxant, analgesic, and it causes extreme sleepiness and respiratory depression. It has been approved by the US FDA only for the purpose of veterinary usage, as animal tranquilizers in animals like Horses and cattle. It is not legalized for human use and is not considered as a federally controlled substance.
This non-opioid drug was initially used as a cutting agent for opioid drugs like heroin. Then it was sold in combination with Fentanyl and cocaine, which can be a fatal drug. Xylazine along with Fentanyl can extend the effects of the drug.
The usage of this drug is rising up in all the cities in America which can become a threat to public health. It is being sold for very few dollars on the streets.
Effects
Tranq literally causes zombie-like effects to the human body, or it can also be said that it is “zombifying people’s bodies.”
It is also known as the “flesh-eating” drug due to its terrifying effects on the skin. When this drug is injected into the body, serious lesions appear on or near the site of injection. It starts erupting as raw wounds, which then become hard and crusty over time. This may lead to scarring. Sometimes holes of different depths start forming around the injected area. If this condition is ignored, then in the worst cases, it may even lead to amputation of the respective body parts. They start appearing and behaving like zombies.
The person using this substance attains a state of euphoria and semi-consciousness. The users also complain that they are not happy, and it kills any kind of joy that comes along with getting high. This drug can increase the number of deaths due to overdose.
Biochemistry
The overdose is a main concern since it is not an opioid drug, and chances of a revival are very low. Fentanyl overdoses can usually be reversed with Naloxone, but it cannot reverse Xylazine overdoses and actually makes them fatal.
Overdoses due to Tranq are becoming more common in the US now. It can cause serious problems if it makes its way into other drugs. So far, traces of Xylazine have been discovered in 36 states.
