What You Should Know About Xylazine
August 23, 2023 – Xylazine has emerged as an adulterating agent in many illicit drug products and can have significant adverse effects, including death. It is a non-opioid sedative and muscle relaxant used in veterinary medicine. The United States FDA has not approved xylazine for human use, and it is not federally classified as a controlled substance at this time.
- In April, the White House officially designated fentanyl adulterated or associated with xylazine as an emerging threat to the United States.1
- In March, the US Drug Enforcement Administration issued an alert about the widespread threat of fentanyl mixed with xylazine.2
- In March, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a letter alerting providers and grantees to the risks of xylazine.3
Millennium Health is an accredited specialty laboratory with over 15 years of experience in drug testing services helping clinicians monitor use of prescription medications and illicit drugs and effectiveness of treatment plans. Our definitive drug test menu includes xylazine, fentanyl & fentanyl analogues.
Processing over a million specimens each year allows us to provide real-time analytics regarding emerging drug use trends, including xylazine. Please reach out for more information.
Media Contact
Jody Schneider, Millennium Health
(619) 917-6810
Jody.Schneider@millenniumhealth.com
References:
1. The White House. Biden-Harris Administration Designates Fentanyl Combined with Xylazine as an Emerging Threat to the United States. https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/briefing-room/2023/04/12/biden-harris-administration-designates-fentanyl-combined-with-xylazine-as-an-emerging-threat-to-the-united-states/. Published April 12, 2023. Accessed May 9, 2023.
2. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine. https://www.dea.gov/alert/dea-reports-widespread-threat-fentanyl-mixed-xylazine. Published March 20, 2023. Accessed March 21, 2023.
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Dear Colleague Letter-Xylazine. Dear Colleague Letter – Xylazine (samhsa.gov) Published March 28, 2023. Accessed May 15, 2023.
