avatarJan Sebastian 🖐👩‍🦰

Summary

The article discusses the rise of horse tranquilizers, particularly xylazine, as a dangerous new street drug contributing to opioid overdose deaths in the U.S.

Abstract

The use of horse tranquilizers, specifically xylazine, as a recreational drug is becoming increasingly prevalent in the U.S., contributing to a significant portion of opioid overdose fatalities. Xylazine, while not an opioid itself, is often mixed with heroin or fentanyl, creating a lethal combination known as "tranq dope." The article highlights the ease of access to these drugs, including online purchases, and the potential for severe health consequences, such as low blood pressure and slowed heart rate. The author notes that Narcan (naloxone), commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses, is ineffective against xylazine-induced overdoses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified xylazine in overdose deaths across half of the U.S. states, emphasizing the need for routine postmortem testing to understand its role in these deaths better. The author concludes by emphasizing the seriousness of drug misuse and offering avenues for support and connection.

Opinions

  • The author expresses concern over the availability of horse tranquilizers for purchase, including online platforms like Chewy.com.
  • There is a personal anecdote about the author's neighbor being caught buying horse tranquilizers with cryptocurrency, suggesting a level of desperation or attempt at anonymity in acquiring these drugs.
  • The author is critical of the current drug landscape, highlighting the dangers of self-medication and the misuse of veterinary drugs in humans.
  • The article conveys a sense of urgency regarding the lack of effectiveness of Narcan on xylazine-related overdoses, which could lead to a false sense of security among opioid users and first responders.
  • The author advocates for better surveillance and testing for xylazine to address the growing issue of overdose deaths involving this tranquilizer.
  • The author shares a personal health struggle, a stroke, and uses this experience to inspire and connect with readers, offering various platforms for communication and support.

Horse tranquilizers! The new hot drug.

I know someone who is taking horse tranquilizers! It’s the new thing I guess.

Photo by Mikael Kristenson … Unsplash

I was thinking, what the heck? So I had to google it. I had seen it at my local feed store as I was cruising the isles. I had pet chickens, rabbits, rats, dogs, cats, and more.

A horse tranquilizer is increasingly popping up as a street drug in the U.S., and it is now involved in nearly one-third of fatal opioid drug overdoses.

The tranquilizer drug, called xylazine, is not considered an opioid, but it is often found mixed with the opioids heroin or fentanyl, a combination sometimes referred to as “tranq dope,”.

The researchers found that detection of the drug during post-mortem exams has spiked sharply over the past decade among people who have died from opioid overdoses in Philadelphia.

I found tons of the stuff for sale on google. Crazy stuff! The one below was on chewy.com. A pet supply.

My neighbor is a brilliant guy, or so I thought.

My first thing was, is he taking pills? When I googled, “horse tranquilizer” I did see pills, but most of what was found online were liquid in bottles, like above. I guess you have to buy needles. What the heck?

I have to admit, I did buy a baby cow many years ago, and we put cow antibiotics in his formula. It was a powder. After the calf grew up, my whole family got strep throat. I took everyone to the doctor where they all got antibiotics.

Finally, I got strep throat. I took out the calf’s antibiotics, mixed a spoon full of the powder in a small glass of water, and drank it.

The strep throat went away in hours. I do not recommend it.

Back the horse tranquilizers. Not only has my friend tried them, but he has a buddy who bought some online with cryptocurrency for some reason, maybe he was buying a bunch, but he got caught.

The crypto maybe was not to be found out. Flying under the radar, but snap, the post office busted him.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION … Pexels

His mom put him in rehab. She paid for it. I guess rehab doesn’t take crypto.

This stuff is straight-up dangerous! All of it. There are many brands and names. But I will pick one. Xylazine.

In humans, xylazine is known to cause potentially dangerous side effects, including low blood pressure and a slowed heart rate.

While studies on the health effects of xylazine combined with opioids are limited, some research suggests that the mixture may increase the risk of opioid overdose death. Indeed, xylazine may increase the toxic effects of opioids by “potentiating sedation and causing respiratory depression” along with low blood pressure and a slow heart rate, the Connecticut researchers said.

CDC reported how widespread these xylazine-associated deaths are in the U.S. as a whole. The researchers found that, out of 38 states, xylazine-associated deaths were identified in 25 states in 2019.

Still, the total number of overdose deaths involving xylazine in the U.S. appears to be small — out of the more than 45,000 overdose deaths reported in 2019, only about 2% were positive for xylazine, the CDC researchers found. But when xylazine was detected, it was listed as a contributor to death in about two-thirds of cases.

What’s more, the number of xylazine-related overdose deaths may be underestimated by the CDC authors. They said that routine postmortem drug tests may not look for the drug.

NARCAN® may not work on horse tranquilizers! … (naloxone HCI).

It saves lives for opioid users. You can buy Narcan at the pharmacy. It is a nasal spray. sometimes insurance covers it. With no insurance, it starts at $45.

115 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Narcan is used for overdoses.

Narcan is used for overdoses. For the horse tranquilizers, it won’t help.

Narcan (naloxone) is an opioid antagonist used for the complete or partial reversal of opioid overdose, including respiratory depression. Narcan is also used for the diagnosis of suspected or known acute opioid overdose and also for blood pressure support in septic shock.

NARCAN DOES NOT WORK FOR HORSE TRANQUILIZERS!

Photo by Mona Eendra … Unsplash

The CDC researchers note that because xylazine is not an opioid…

Hence it won’t respond to Narcan so naloxone may be less effective in reversing overdoses in cases where xylazine is also used.

The detection of xylazine-associated overdose deaths in half of U.S. states is concerning and warrants “continued surveillance” of the drug, the CDC authors said. Labs should implement routine postmortem testing for xylazine, which could help researchers better understand the role of the drug in overdose deaths, they said.

This shit ain’t no joke! — Drugs are no joke!

Be healthy. Ride a horse may be but don’t take their tranquilizers!

So who is this Jan Sebastian writer chick?

I had a stroke so I am disabled and am kicking major ass.…well in some ways. I can’t walk or talk well but I’m a writing MO-FO! Kickin’ serious BUTT 100%!

This is my silly stroke therapy video. The focus on my face is hilarious! A crazy-ass redhead who is not at all normal and proud of it. I love people and love helping them. Unconventional seems right. Fearless and focused.

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