800-671-4304Xylazine (Tranq): Side Effects, Overdose Risks and Detox Help
In This Article
- What Is Xylazine (“Tranq”)?
- Why “Tranq Dope” Is So Risky
- Xylazine Side Effects (Short-Term and Long-Term)
- Xylazine Wounds (Ulcers) and When to Get Medical Care
- Xylazine Overdose: Signs, What To Do and Naloxone
- Xylazine Withdrawal and Addiction: Can You Get “Tranq Withdrawal”?
- Xylazine Detox: What Treatment Typically Looks Like
- Getting Help for “Tranq Dope” Use Today
Xylazine is a tranquilizer drug that is illegal outside of its intended use in veterinary services. This article will explore the risks involved in using tranq as well as the short- and long-term side effects that come with this drug.
If you or someone you care about has a problem with tranq use, treatment is available. You can also download the Xylazine Tranq Withdrawal Timeline to better understand what detox will look like.
What Is Xylazine (“Tranq”)?
Xylazine is both a powerful sedative and tranquilizer intended for veterinary use only. However, it has recently become a recreational drug, often mixed with other substances.
Tranq is the street name used for xylazine. It may also be referred to as tranq dope or the zombie drug because of the skin ulcers that appear after repeated use.
Many people do not actively seek out xylazine and may be completely unaware they are consuming it. Some illicit drug manufacturers use the substance as a cheap cutting agent to bulk up the drug supply and extend the duration of the high. Common drugs that are found mixed with xylazine include opiates such as fentanyl and heroin.
Xylazine fentanyl is a uniquely dangerous combination because it can add heavy sedation to the effects of opioids, making the risk of life-threatening outcomes much greater.
Xylazine Quick Facts:
- Also called tranq drug, tranq dope and the zombie drug
- Often found with fentanyl and heroin
- Can cause severe side effects
- Linked with tranq wounds and skin necrosis
Why “Tranq Dope” Is So Risky
Tranq dope is a risky drug for several reasons.
Xylazine can cause a faster slide into dependence or instability in your use. The sedative effects, plus the unpredictable supply, make it easy to develop a xylazine addiction without you being completely aware.
Xylazine abuse also comes with a higher chance of medical complications. For example, sedatives slow your breathing and heart rate, which can lead to severe respiratory depression. Being sedated also increases your injury risk since you have less control over motor functions while under the influence.
Once you develop a tranq addiction, it is common to keep using the drug to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and to feel “normal.” Because xylazine is also mixed with other drugs, it can make withdrawal symptoms more severe than if you were taking tranq on its own.
Why Quitting Feels Hard:
- Unpredictable withdrawal and cravings
- Fear of getting sick
- Wanting to maintain the high feelings
- Co-use with fentanyl or other opioids
- Wounds and infections that worsen when care is delayed
Xylazine Side Effects (Short-Term and Long-Term)
Tranq side effects can be short-term and long-term and vary depending on several factors. Some of these factors include how much you take, how long you have been using and whether or not it was mixed with other substances. These substances can change how tranq affects you and what side effects you’ll experience.
Whether you experience mild or severe side effects, recovery is possible, and the sooner you get treatment, the better for your health.
Short-Term Effects
Some of the short-term xylazine side effects include:
- Heavy sedation and head nodding
- Dizziness
- Experiencing confusion
- Slowed respiratory rate
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting and/or lightheadedness
- Slowed heart rate
- Increased risk of falls and/or accidents
- Skin picking or scratching is sometimes reported among individuals who use various street drugs, including xylazine
These short-term effects can be present after even just one use of the drug and could worsen with repeated use.
Long-Term Risks
Some long-term risks of xylazine abuse typically appear after using for an extended period of time. The risks include:
- Dependence possibly leading to addiction
- Worsening overall health
- Skin wounds/ulcers/abscesses
- Infection risk
- Social/functional decline
- Overdose risk (especially with opioids involved)
Xylazine Wounds (Ulcers) and When to Get Medical Care
One of the most commonly seen side effects of tranq abuse is skin wounds or ulcers. These wounds can happen regardless of how you use the drug.
Thankfully, treatment for xylazine-related wounds is available, and recognizing the warning signs is essential for preventing serious complications.
What Xylazine-Associated Wounds Can Look Like
The wounds associated with xylazine use may start as:
- Open sores
- Abscesses
- Spreading redness
- Drainage
- Bad odor
- Blackened tissue
- Severe pain
- Sometimes numbness
“Do Not Wait” Warning Signs
If you see any of these warning signs, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible:
- Fever and/or chills
- Rapidly spreading redness
- Black/gray tissue
- Severe swelling
- Streaking redness
- Confusion
- Extreme weakness
- Uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain
Any sign of sepsis should be taken very seriously. Sepsis is your body’s overactive, toxic response to an infection. It can lead to potential organ failure or drastically low blood pressure, called septic shock. Sepsis can even lead to death if left untreated.
What treatment may include
Treatment is available for xylazine wounds, no matter how severe they have gotten. Your specific treatment plan will depend on several factors, but you can expect some of the following:
- Wound cleaning
- Dressings
- Antibiotics if infected
- Evaluation for deeper tissue involvement
- Follow-up care
Treatment would also include medical detox and therapy to treat your substance use disorder. Ongoing treatment will help you to stay sober and avoid relapse.
If you are actively using or you lack immediate access to medical care, it is essential to reduce as much harm as possible by focusing on basic wound care for xylazine.
Follow these practical steps:
- Keep wounds clean with mild soap or saline
- Apply non-adherent dressings (like Xeroform)
- Avoid the manual peeling of dry eschar
- Seek out low-barrier wound clinics
Xylazine Overdose: Signs, What To Do and Naloxone
A xylazine overdose is possible and more likely when combined with opioids. Fentanyl laced with xylazine is becoming more common among street drugs. For this reason, it is important to know the signs of a possible overdose for yourself or a loved one.
Signs of a Possible Overdose
Some of the signs of overdose for xylazine, mixed with other opiates, include:
- Unresponsive/unconscious
- Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
- Blue/gray lips or fingertips
- Gurgling/choking sounds
- Pinpoint pupils may occur if opioids are present
- Very slow heart rate
- Extremely low blood pressure signs (faint/clammy)
- Can’t be awakened
What to Do Right Now
If you notice any of these signs of overdose, do the following:
- Call emergency services
- Give naloxone (because opioids are commonly involved, and naloxone reverses overdose symptoms of opioids)
- Start rescue breathing if trained or follow dispatcher guidance
- Stay with the person until emergency services arrive
- Give another naloxone dose if no response and opioids are suspected
- Move the person into the recovery position if breathing returns
- Tell responders what you think was used and that the drug may contain xylazine/tranq
Unfortunately, because xylazine is not an opioid, it does not respond to naloxone. However, the drug should still be administered immediately. This is because xylazine is almost always mixed with fentanyl, so reversing the opioid component is often enough to restore breathing.
Xylazine Withdrawal and Addiction: Can You Get “Tranq Withdrawal”?
Download the Xylazine or Tranq Withdrawal Timeline and Treatment Asset for a snapshot of what to expect with tranq withdrawal and how to treat it.
Withdrawal from xylazine addiction can happen when you stop using the drug, especially after you have grown dependent on it. The withdrawal symptoms may overlap with those of an opioid withdrawal when fentanyl is involved.
Professional support matters when going through xylazine detox because the symptoms can be unpleasant and even dangerous.
Detox from xylazine may cause some of the following:
- Unstable vitals
- Anxiety/agitation
- Sleep disruption
- Cravings
- Relapse risk
Possible Xylazine Withdrawal Symptoms
If you are suffering from tranq addiction and suddenly stop use, you may experience the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Anxiety, irritability, restlessness
- Trouble sleeping
- Elevated heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Sweating/chills
- Strong cravings
- Nausea (if used with opioids)
- Body aches (if used with opioids)
Why “Home Detox” Can Be Risky
Detoxing from xylazine abuse on your own can be risky due to:
- Unknown supply contents
- Complications such as tranq wounds and infection
- Relapse/overdose risk
- Co-occurring opioid dependence
It is recommended that you attend either an inpatient detox or outpatient rehab so you can benefit from professional medical support.
Xylazine Detox: What Treatment Typically Looks Like
Your detox treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs, but you can expect it to follow steps similar to the ones below.
Step 1: Assessment and Safety Planning
The first thing that the treatment team will do is take you through a thorough assessment of your medical history, mental health condition and history of substance use. The purpose of this assessment is to identify your needs and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Assessments include:
- Substance use pattern and likely fentanyl exposure
- Vital signs and sedation risk
- Wound evaluation
- Mental health screening
- Treatment level recommendation
Step 2: Managing Xylazine Withdrawal and Cravings
Once an assessment is complete and a treatment plan is in place, you may need close monitoring and medical support.
This is the period of recovery in which the staff will help you manage:
- Opioid withdrawal if fentanyl is involved
- Symptom support
- Monitoring your stability
During this stage, the care team will support you in addressing key concerns such as improving sleep, managing anxiety, reducing agitation, staying hydrated and maintaining proper nutrition.
Furthermore, many detox programs offer medication-assisted detox to help alleviate unpleasant symptoms.
Step 3: Transition to Ongoing Treatment
Once detox is complete, you will continue treatment to address underlying behaviors and thought patterns that perpetuate your substance use.
Ongoing treatment typically consists of:
- Therapy
- Relapse prevention
- Aftercare planning
- Peer support options
- Addressing housing, work and legal needs
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a commonly used intervention that helps you identify unhealthy thinking patterns that lead to substance abuse. You may also attend group or family therapy to help you navigate relational issues caused by your substance use.
Because relapse is a normal part of recovery, ongoing treatment helps you to develop new routines and habits to prevent relapse once you leave rehab. Many people continue attending therapy and support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery, for years after completing rehab to support their long-term recovery.
Getting Help for “Tranq Dope” Use Today
Treatment for tranq addiction is effective and available. If you or a loved one is struggling with xylazine addiction, follow these steps to begin treatment now.
If you’re ready, here are the next 3 steps:
- Call the Detox.com support line now at 800-996-6135
- Use the national treatment provider directory to find detox options near you
- If you have wounds, fever or an overdose risk, seek urgent medical care immediately
There are several options to help you afford detox, including health insurance since most plans cover mental health care.
Many facilities also offer scholarships, grants, sliding scale fees or payment plans to help you receive treatment if you do not have insurance coverage and can’t afford to pay out of pocket.
