Pharmacology and toxicology of xylazine: quid novum?

S. Malaca, M. Pesaresi, A. Kapoor, P. Berretta, F.P. Busardò, F. Pirani

Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Unit of Forensic Toxicology, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy. fra.busardo@libero.it

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• Toxicology

The current opioid overdose crisis is characterized by the presence of unknown psychoactive adulterants. Xylazine is an alpha-2 receptor agonist that is not approved for human use but is commonly used in veterinary medicine due to its sedative and muscle-relaxant properties. Cases of human intoxication due to accidental or voluntary use have been reported since the 1980s. However, reports of adulteration of illicit opioids (heroin and illicit fentanyl) with xylazine have been increasing all over Western countries. In humans, xylazine causes respiratory depression, bradycardia, and hypotension-posing individuals, using xylazine-adulterated opioids. We present a narrative review of the latest intoxication cases related to xylazine, to bring awareness to readers and also to help pathologists to detect and deal with xylazine cases.

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