Medical History Mysteries: A new street drug—xylazine

May 24, 2022
Xylazine is being found more and more in doses of fentanyl and heroin to amplify their effects. Here’s what dental professionals need to know about this new street drug.

Welcome to Medical History Mysteries, where we dissect our patients’ medical histories and figure out how best to treat them from the dental chair.

There’s a new street drug out there that we need to be aware of—xylazine (known as tranq dope on the street). Xylazine is a new, old drug. It’s a veterinary tranquilizer that was originally invented as a tranquilizer for humans as well.

Today, xylazine is used to heighten the effects of opioids and other central nervous system depressants and stimulants. It’s being found more often in doses of fentanyl and heroin to amplify their effects.

Join us in this episode of Medical History Mysteries as we talk about how xylazine is taken, the risks, special dental considerations, and ways to educate our patients.

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Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Through the Loupes newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe to Through the Loupes.