HomeThe Briefing RoomCNS DepressantsXylazine Mixed With Fentanyl: The Cartels Deadly Combo

Xylazine Mixed With Fentanyl: The Cartels Deadly Combo

  • September 23, 2022
  • Posted by: Keith Graves
  • Categories: CNS Depressants, Drug Trends, Opiates
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Xylazine has been popping up in fentanyl samples throughout the country. But what is Xylazine and why are the cartels adding it to an already dangerous drug like fentanyl?

What is Xylazine?

Xylazine is a veterinary drug that is often used as a sedative or analgesic (pain killer). It is not scheduled in the United States and the FDA has not approved its use in humans. 

Xylazine is used as an anesthetic for animals, and it is sometimes used in combination with other medications to treat pain. Xylazine is available in tablet form, and it can be administered by mouth or injection. It is often given as a pre-anesthetic before surgery. Xylazine can also be used to prevent discomfort during dental procedures.

Xylazine is classified as a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and amnesia, slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels.

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Why are Cartels Adding Xylazine to Fentanyl?

Cartels are adding xylazine to fentanyl in order to increase its potency and prolong its effects. Sometimes called a “booster,” cartels have been adding CNS depressant drugs to fentanyl to “boost” the high users feel. By adding a booster, cartels can use less fentanyl in their mix and stretch out their supply of fentanyl. 

Users are also demanding it. The deadly mix has become popular among users and cartels are following up with customers demands. 

Narcan and a Xylazine Overdose

When dealers mix Xylazine with fentanyl, some samples will have more xylazine than fentanyl and vice versa. However, fentanyl is an opiate while Xylazine is a CNS depressant. If someone overdoses and the primary agent causing the overdose is Xylazine and not the fentanyl, narcan will have a minimal effect. The narcan will stop the fentanyl from working, but it will have no effect whatsoever on Xylazine. 

There have been reports of Narcan having no impact on a fentanyl overdose. The problem is that fentanyl doses have become more potent which means that narcan takes longer to take effect. But, if a booster like Xylazine is on board and the Xylazine is causing the overdose, it may give the appearance that narcan is not working on fentanyl. Just know that narcan only works on opiates/opioids and does not work on CNS depressants. 

Xylazine is Damaging Users Bodies

Repeated Xylazine use can be associated with skin ulcers, abscesses, and other related complications. These complications may require surgery or long-term treatment. This is something we have not seen in over 40 years. Injecting CNS depressants hasn’t been seen on a wide scale since the 1970’s. Injecting certain CNS depressants causes massive damage to the skin. Since fentanyl users are injecting their drug, the Xylazine is going with it and damaging tissue.  

Damage from injecting Xylazine

Under the Influence of Fentanyl/Xylazine

When someone is under the combined influence of fentanyl and xylazine, they will have symptoms consistent with opiate influence and CNS depressant influence. You may see constricted pupils from the fentanyl, while you can see nystagmus from the xylazine. Both cause lethargy, so you can expect the additive effect when users are high. Their lethargy will be compounded greatly. 

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Author: Keith Graves
Keith is a retired Police Sergeant, working his entire 29 year career in the San Francisco Bay Area. Keith is a recipient of the prestigious California’s Narcotics Officer of the Year Award and is a prior winner of MADD’s California Hero Award. He has years of experience as a Narcotics Detective and a Narcotics Unit Supervisor and is a Drug Recognition Expert Instructor (IACP #3292). Keith has developed several courses for the Department of Defense, California Narcotics Officers Association, and California POST, and numerous police agencies and private corporations. Keith has held other assignments besides narcotics including Training Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant, COPPS Officer, Traffic Officer, and 20 years as a SWAT Team member and Sniper Team Leader. Keith has taught thousands of officers and businesses around the world about drug use, drug trends, compliance training and drug investigations. Keith is also the founder of Christian Warrior Training, where he provides free resources and training to church security ministries. He is recognized as an international drug expert and has testified as an expert in court proceedings on drug cases, homicide cases and rape prosecutions. Keith earned a BA in Business Management from Saint Mary’s College of California and a MA in Criminal Justice. Keith is the Founder and President of Graves & Associates, a company dedicated to providing drug training to law enforcement, the Department of Defense, and private industry internationally. You can follow Keith on social media on Facebook (DopeCop and DrugEnforcementCops), twitter (DopeCop) and Instagram (DrugEnforcementCops).

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