Xylazine

Xylazine
Clinical data
Trade namesRompun, Anased, Sedazine, Chanazine, others
AHFS/Drugs.comInternational Drug Names
License data
Routes of
administration		By mouth, inhalation, or injection (intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous)
ATCvet code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)
  • US: ℞-only
  • Veterinary Use
Identifiers
  • N-(2,6-Dimethylphenyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazin-2-amine
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.028.093 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC12H16N2S
Molar mass220.33 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • N\1=C(\SCCC/1)Nc2c(cccc2C)C
  • InChI=1S/C12H16N2S/c1-9-5-3-6-10(2)11(9)14-12-13-7-4-8-15-12/h3,5-6H,4,7-8H2,1-2H3,(H,13,14) ☒N
  • Key:BPICBUSOMSTKRF-UHFFFAOYSA-N ☒N
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)

Xylazine is a structural analog of clonidine and an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist,[1] sold under many trade names worldwide, most notably the Bayer brand name Rompun,[2] as well as Anased, Sedazine and Chanazine.[3]

Xylazine is a common veterinary drug used for sedation, anesthesia, muscle relaxation, and analgesia in animals such as horses, cattle, and other mammals.[2] In veterinary anesthesia, it is often used in combination with ketamine. Veterinarians also use xylazine as an emetic, especially in cats.[4] Drug interactions vary with different animals.[5][6][7]

Xylazine has become a commonly abused street drug in the United States where it is known by the street name "tranq", particularly in the territory of Puerto Rico.[8] The drug is being diverted from stocks for equine veterinarians as well as trafficked in bulk from China to be used as a cutting agent for heroin and fentanyl, causing necrotic skin wounds leading to serious infections and limb amputations[9] as well as other health issues.[10][11][12] Fentanyl mixed with xylazine is known by the street names "sleep-cut", "zombie drug", "Iso" and "tranq dope".[8][13][14][15]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Greene was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "Xylazine". drugs.com.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ruiz! was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Dowling PM (June 2016) [March 2015]. "Drugs to control or stimulate vomiting (monogastric)". Merck Veterinary Manual (professional ed.). Rahway, NJ: Merck & Co.
  5. ^ Haskins SC, Patz JD, Farver TB (March 1986). "Xylazine and xylazine-ketamine in dogs". American Journal of Veterinary Research. 47 (3): 636–641. PMID 3963565.
  6. ^ Muir WW, Skarda RT, Milne DW (February 1977). "Evaluation of xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride for anesthesia in horses". American Journal of Veterinary Research. 38 (2): 195–201. PMID 842917.
  7. ^ Aithal HP, Pratap AK, Singh GR (1997). "Clinical effects of epidurally administered ketamine and xylazine in goats". Small Ruminant Research. 24 (1): 55–64. doi:10.1016/s0921-4488(96)00919-4.
  8. ^ a b "DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine". DEA. 2023-03-21. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-04-12.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ "Recommendations for Caring for Individuals with Xylazine-Associated Wounds". Department of Public Health - City of Philadelphia. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  10. ^ Quynh J (October 4, 2023). "Feds target Chinese based fentanyl supply chain with ties to Florida". CBS News. Miami. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  11. ^ Rowland B (October 3, 2023). "Justice Department goes after China-based companies in fentanyl fight". The Center Square. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Reyes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "FDA warns about the risk of xylazine exposure in humans, November 8, 2022". fda.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-04-12. Reports from social media and news outlets suggest that xylazine-containing products may be sold under the street names tranq, tranq dope, sleep-cut, Philly dope and zombie drug.
  14. ^ "FDA alerts health care professionals of risks to patients exposed to xylazine in illicit drugs". www.fda.gov. 2023-03-21. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  15. ^ Montero F, Bourgois P, Friedman J (2022). "Potency-Enhancing Synthetics in the Drug Overdose Epidemic: Xylazine ("Tranq"), Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and the Displacement of Heroin in Philadelphia and Tijuana". Journal of Illicit Economies and Development. 4 (2): 204–222. doi:10.31389/jied.122. PMC 10065983. PMID 37009634.