The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a warning Monday about a nationwide increase in fentanyl containing a tranquilizer that can lead to amputation and has caused a spike in fatal overdoses.
The agency said that it discovered fentanyl mixed with xylazine, sometimes called “tranq,” in 48 out of 50 states last year. It said that in 2022, 23 percent of fentanyl powder—itself a highly addictive substance that has caused a surge in overdoses in recent years—contained xylazine, while 7 percent of fentanyl pills contained the tranquilizer.
“Xylazine and fentanyl drug mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning,” said the DEA in a “public safety alert.” “Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects. Still, experts always recommend administering naloxone if someone might be suffering a drug poisoning.”…