Concerning increase in overdoses involving xylazine in the midst of the opioid epidemic.
Location
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Start Date
4-5-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-5-2024 11:30 AM
Poster Number
4
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
Tazley Hobbs
Faculty Sponsor's Department
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Competition Type
Non-Competitive
Type
Poster Presentation
Presentation Category
Health
Abstract or Artist's Statement
With the increase in prevalence of opioid use disorder and the rising overdose deaths involving opioids, there has been a dangerous increase in the use of xylazine and its addition into the illicit opioid supply. Xylazine is a veterinary non-opioid that is FDA approved for use as a sedative, anesthetic, muscle relaxant, and analgesic but is not approved for human use. It has strong alpha2-adrenergic agonist properties similar to clonidine. In recent years, it has been increasingly found in illicit drug supplies, and has been frequently mixed with fentanyl. In 2021, 91% of samples of heroin or fentanyl in Philadelphia were found to contain xylazine. According to the CDC, in 2018, there were 102 reported overdose deaths involving xylazine and a substantial increase to 3468 reported overdose deaths involving xylazine in 2021, with approximately 99% of cases also involving fentanyl. Data of xylazine use and overdose results were obtained from searches of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Drug Enforcement Administration data reports on drug-poisoning cases involving xylazine. Conclusion: Xylazine related deaths continue to increase significantly along with the increase in opioid use disorder. There are significant limitations on reliable data on xylazine use and overdose as requirements for testing vary state-by-state, and even differ between counties, very likely leading to significant underreporting. Harm reduction strategies for xylazine including patient and provider education on the increasing prevalence of xylazine in illicit opioid supply. Increased awareness including potential street names including “tranq,” “sleep-cut,” zombie drug,” and “Philly dope” can help patients avoid unintentional use of xylazine . Xylazine testing strips may also help with detection but there is a strong need for improved access and availability. Although fast acting medications such as naloxone are not effective for xylazine overdoses, supportive care measures, including rescue breathing, may be taken to allow people to survive an overdose alongside naloxone use as most overdoses are in combination with opioid use.
Concerning increase in overdoses involving xylazine in the midst of the opioid epidemic.
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
With the increase in prevalence of opioid use disorder and the rising overdose deaths involving opioids, there has been a dangerous increase in the use of xylazine and its addition into the illicit opioid supply. Xylazine is a veterinary non-opioid that is FDA approved for use as a sedative, anesthetic, muscle relaxant, and analgesic but is not approved for human use. It has strong alpha2-adrenergic agonist properties similar to clonidine. In recent years, it has been increasingly found in illicit drug supplies, and has been frequently mixed with fentanyl. In 2021, 91% of samples of heroin or fentanyl in Philadelphia were found to contain xylazine. According to the CDC, in 2018, there were 102 reported overdose deaths involving xylazine and a substantial increase to 3468 reported overdose deaths involving xylazine in 2021, with approximately 99% of cases also involving fentanyl. Data of xylazine use and overdose results were obtained from searches of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Drug Enforcement Administration data reports on drug-poisoning cases involving xylazine. Conclusion: Xylazine related deaths continue to increase significantly along with the increase in opioid use disorder. There are significant limitations on reliable data on xylazine use and overdose as requirements for testing vary state-by-state, and even differ between counties, very likely leading to significant underreporting. Harm reduction strategies for xylazine including patient and provider education on the increasing prevalence of xylazine in illicit opioid supply. Increased awareness including potential street names including “tranq,” “sleep-cut,” zombie drug,” and “Philly dope” can help patients avoid unintentional use of xylazine . Xylazine testing strips may also help with detection but there is a strong need for improved access and availability. Although fast acting medications such as naloxone are not effective for xylazine overdoses, supportive care measures, including rescue breathing, may be taken to allow people to survive an overdose alongside naloxone use as most overdoses are in combination with opioid use.