Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is a powerful sedative approved for veterinary use in the United States. Xylazine is not a synthetic opioid, but its growing prevalence in illicit fentanyl mixtures complicates the reversal of opioid overdoses with naloxone. Additionally, illicit xylazine use has generated widespread reports of injection site infections and necrosis (soft tissue death) resulting in amputations.

The DEA’s 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment released this month, reported that the threat of fentanyl combined with xylazine continues to grow. In 2023, nearly one third of fentanyl powder samples seized by the DEA contained xylazine. Xylazine was most prevalent in drug samples seized in New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Florida, but was identified in seized drug samples in every U.S. state, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

CISA’s Fact Sheet provides timely information and guidance for first responders on this growing threat. The Fact Sheet covers what xylazine is and how the drug works in the human body, the significance of the risks, first responder safety, how xylazine affects first responders’ treatment of overdoses, the role of community harm reduction programs and Good Samaritan Laws, and links to several references relevant to emergency response.

Read more on the fact sheet by clicking the link below.