Short answer: Xylazine is a veterinary sedative that has spread through the illicit fentanyl supply as "tranq". It is not approved for people. It deepens and prolongs sedation, is not reversed by naloxone, and causes severe skin wounds. It is not yet federally controlled, but the House passed a bill in September 2026 to place it in Schedule III, and many states already control it.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Xylazine is a veterinary sedative (alpha-2 adrenergic agonist) and not a federally controlled substance.
- Medical use: Veterinary only.
- Timing: effects start in minutes and last hours.
- Most dangerous mix: Fentanyl and other opioids, which can cause deeper, longer sedation; overdose; naloxone only partly helps.
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: High.
- Legal route: xylazine is not federally scheduled as of October 2026, but state bans, FDA restrictions, and pending federal action can apply; check current status.
What is xylazine?
Xylazine is a sedative and muscle relaxant approved by the FDA only for animals. It is added to illicit fentanyl, probably to extend its effects cheaply. In 2023 the White House declared fentanyl mixed with xylazine an emerging threat.
Xylazine causes deep sedation, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and slowed breathing. Combined with fentanyl, people may stay sedated for hours, which raises the risk of overdose, injury, assault, and pressure wounds.
Quick facts
| Fact | Xylazine |
|---|---|
| Chemical | Xylazine hydrochloride |
| Street names | Tranq, tranq dope, sleep cut |
| Drug class | Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist (sedative) |
| Approved use | Veterinary sedation only (horses, cattle, other animals) |
| US legal status | Not federally controlled; House passed Schedule III bill (September 2026); controlled in many states |
| Found with | Mostly illicit fentanyl |
| Onset | Minutes |
| Duration | Hours |
| Half-life | Unknown in humans; likely hours |
How long does xylazine last?
- Starts working: Minutes
- Effects last: Hours
- Half-life: Unknown in humans; likely hours
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of xylazine?
Severe wounds: xylazine causes skin ulcers and dead tissue, often far from the injection site and even in people who smoke or snort it. Untreated wounds can lead to amputation. Early wound care helps.
Overdose: combined with fentanyl, xylazine deepens sedation and slows breathing and heart rate. Naloxone reverses the fentanyl but not the xylazine.
Prolonged sedation leaves people vulnerable to injury, hypothermia, and assault.
What should you never mix with xylazine?
| Combined with | What happens | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Fentanyl and other opioids | Deeper, longer sedation; overdose; naloxone only partly helps | Very high risk |
| Benzodiazepines, alcohol | Additive sedation and slow breathing | Very high risk |
| Blood pressure medicines (clonidine) | Additive drops in blood pressure and heart rate | High risk |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a xylazine overdose, and what should you do?
A person may be deeply sedated, hard or impossible to wake, with slow breathing, a slow heartbeat, and low blood pressure. Because xylazine is almost always mixed with fentanyl, always give naloxone. Naloxone restores breathing from the fentanyl even if the person stays sleepy from the xylazine.
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, cannot be woken, has blue or gray lips, or is breathing slowly or not at all.
- Give naloxone (Narcan or a generic nasal spray, sold without a prescription) into one nostril. If there is no response after 2 to 3 minutes, give another dose.
- If you are trained, give rescue breaths. Otherwise place the person on their side so they do not choke.
- Stay with them. Naloxone can wear off before xylazine does, so the overdose can return even after the person wakes up.
- Most states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who call 911 for an overdose from some drug charges.
Is xylazine addictive, and what is withdrawal like?
People exposed regularly to fentanyl with xylazine can develop xylazine withdrawal on top of opioid withdrawal. It can be severe and is not relieved by opioid medicines alone.
- Hours to day 1Symptoms beginAnxiety, irritability, restlessness, high blood pressure.
- Days 1 to 4PeakSevere agitation, dysphoria, fast heartbeat, high blood pressure.
- 1 to 2 weeksResolvesSymptoms ease with treatment.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full xylazine withdrawal guide.
Is xylazine legal?
Federal law: xylazine is an FDA-approved veterinary drug and is not a federal controlled substance. The FDA restricted imports of xylazine ingredients in 2023 to keep it in legitimate veterinary channels.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class C since 2024 |
| Canada | Veterinary prescription drug; xylazine in street drugs is monitored |
| International | Not under UN control |
Frequently asked questions about xylazine
Does naloxone work on xylazine?
No, but give it anyway. Xylazine is almost always mixed with fentanyl, and naloxone reverses the fentanyl and restores breathing.
Why does xylazine cause wounds?
The exact cause is unclear. It narrows blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the skin, and wounds can appear even away from injection sites.
Is xylazine illegal?
Not federally yet. It is a veterinary drug. Many states control it, and Congress was considering a law to place it in Schedule III.
Are there xylazine test strips?
Yes. They are available from many health departments and harm reduction programs.
Sources
- FDA alerts health care professionals of risks to patients exposed to xylazine in illicit drugs, US Food and Drug Administration.
- Information about naloxone and nalmefene, US Food and Drug Administration.
- H.R.1266, Combating Illicit Xylazine Act (119th Congress), Congress.gov.
- National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Xylazine profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
