The “Zombie Drug”: What Xylazine Really Is and 4 Ways to Get Help

Effects of Xylazine

Xylazine can seriously affect your physical and mental health, and it’s important to know when to seek medical care. Even if you’re not ready to stop using drugs completely, healthcare providers can help treat these conditions and prevent them from getting worse.

Xylazine is a central nervous system depressant that can cause intense drowsiness, confusion, difficulty focusing, problems with coordination, severely slowed breathing (especially dangerous when combined with opioids), dangerously low blood pressure, and reduced body temperature and heart rate.

Skin and Tissue Concerns

One of the most serious long-term effects is xylazine’s impact on skin and tissue health.⁶ Even brief exposure can cause painful wounds that appear suddenly, worsen quickly, often show up on arms and legs, and require specialized medical care. These wounds can become infected if left untreated, and in severe cases may lead to necrosis or other complications that require amputation. However, healthcare providers are learning more about effective treatment approaches,⁷ and early intervention can help prevent serious complications.

If you notice any wounds or skin changes, don’t wait to get them checked out. Be honest with medical professionals about possible xylazine exposure so they can give you the right care. Many communities now have specialized wound care services that work with people who use drugs and provide care without judgment.

Learn more about harm reduction strategies that can help keep you safer.

Overdose Risks

The combination of xylazine and opioids—both dangerous drugs in their own right—poses serious overdose risks. Xylazine amplifies the respiratory-depressant effects of opioids, making it easier to stop breathing entirely. Emergency responders often struggle to revive people who overdose on this drug, as opioid-reversal drugs like naloxone do not affect xylazine. Barber explains the risks this poses for people who use street opioids: 

Because xylazine is a sedative and not an opioid,⁵ overdose reversal medications like Narcan don’t address the drug’s major risks, which include dangerously lowering users’ blood pressure, heart rates and respirations. Those who ingest tranq as part of a fentanyl dose often lapse into hours-long blackouts; by the time they rouse themselves, the effects of the high have worn off, and the desperation for a new dose begins. The CDC still recommends the use of Narcan in suspected intoxications involving xylazine, because it’s so often combined with opioids like fentanyl and heroin.

Xylazine Vaccine

While authorities in the U.S. have started to grasp the seriousness of this crisis, they didn’t fully understand its breadth and depth due to a lack of accurate data. It is, however, clear that an antidote is urgently needed—which is why scientists are developing a vaccine to block xylazine’s toxic effects.⁸ So far, the vaccine has been tested on animals with promising results, say chemical biologists at Scripps Research.

Why Is Tranq So Dangerous?

Uncertain Presence in the Drug Supply 

One of the biggest challenges with xylazine is that many people don’t know when they might be exposed to it. Illegal drugs are notorious for being unregulated and inconsistent, and xylazine is no exception. It’s often mixed into drugs without users’ knowledge, the amount of tranq present in opioids like fentanyl can vary significantly from one batch or dose to another, and standard drug testing methods don’t detect it. This increases the risk of overdose and other adverse side effects. It’s possible for opioid users to become addicted to xylazine⁹ before they even realize what they’re taking. 

Limited Reversal Options

Addiction professionals are concerned about xylazine because it complicates overdose response. While naloxone is still essential for reversing opioid overdoses, it doesn’t affect xylazine. This means:

• Traditional overdose response protocols might not work.
• People should seek medical care even if they’ve received naloxone.

How to Get Help for Addiction to Xylazine

Whether you’re ready to make changes in your drug use or just need help with immediate health concerns, help is available. Healthcare providers increasingly understand how xylazine affects people and can offer: 

1. Medical support¹⁰ for wounds and infections
2. Supervised detox services to safely remove xylazine and opioids from the body
3. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) like buprenorphine or methadone to manage opioid withdrawal 
4. Comprehensive addiction treatment to address the underlying causes of opioid use and develop healthier coping practices

Finding a Treatment Program

Seeking help might seem daunting, but numerous resources are available:

• Inpatient rehab programs provide intensive, round-the-clock care in a structured, substance-free setting.
• Outpatient rehab programs offer more flexibility while still providing intensive treatment.
• Support groups like Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery offer important peer support, community, and encouragement.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Search for a rehab center that fits your needs and speak to an addiction specialist today.

FAQs

Q: What is the zombie cocktail drug? 

A: This term typically refers to street drugs that combine xylazine with synthetic opioids like fentanyl. This combination is dangerous because both substances depress breathing and heart rate, and xylazine cannot be reversed with naloxone.

Q: When was xylazine created? 

A: Xylazine was first synthesized in 1962 by Bayer¹¹ for veterinary use as an animal sedative. It began appearing in the illicit drug supply around 2006, with widespread presence developing in the 2010s.

Q: Who can help with tranq addiction? 

A: Healthcare providers, addiction specialists, wound care teams, and treatment centers can all provide support. Many facilities now offer specialized care for people exposed to xylazine, including medical detox, medication-assisted treatment for opioid components, and wound management services.

Q: Why is xylazine called the “zombie drug”? 

A: Media outlets use this term because xylazine causes intense sedation and can lead to severe skin ulcers. However, addiction experts warn that this sensationalized nickname increases stigma and may discourage people from seeking much-needed medical care.

Q: How does xylazine affect the human body? 

A: Xylazine causes dangerous drops in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It also causes distinctive skin wounds that can appear anywhere on the body, not just injection sites. Combined with opioids, it significantly increases the risk of drug overdose since naloxone doesn’t reverse its effects.