SAMHSA | BU
Xylazine is known as “tranq” or “tranq dope” in the illicit drug market. Xylazine can cause drowsiness, lethargy, and in rare instances, apnea and death. While xylazine is not an opioid, it is dangerous because it can depress breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature to critical levels. Additionally, people who inject drugs containing xylazine can develop severe skin wounds and patches of dead and rotting tissue that easily become infected and, if left untreated, may lead to amputation. These wounds can develop in areas of the body away from the injection site and may become life-threatening.