An emerging and dangerous drug has caused a death in southwest Michigan.
The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department announced Thursday that there has been a Xylazine-involved fatality in Van Buren County. Xylazine is a potent sedative used commonly in veterinary clinics, and has never been approved for human use.
Xylazine has appeared more frequently in Michigan, often mixed with fentanyl or other substances, according to the VBCDHD. Some drug users may not know they have taken xylazine. Unlike fentanyl that can be tested at-home with drug testing kits, xylazine cannot be screened in illicit substances without extensive lab testing. Xylazine causes sedation and anesthesia, respiratory depression, slow heart rate, muscle relaxation, and pain relief. In humans, it also causes significant slowing of the heart rate and low blood pressure.
Since it has many of the same effects as opioids, it could be substituted for the opioid or the two together have additive effects. Because xylazine is not an opioid, an overdose cannot be reversed with naloxone.
Xylazine can be swallowed, inhaled, smoked, snorted, or injected into the muscle or vein. There is no information on vaping. It has rapid onset within minutes and can last 8 hours or longer depending upon the dose, way it was taken, and whether it was mixed with an opioid or other drug.
It is difficult to clinically determine if someone has taken xylazine or an opioid. Xylazine should be suspected if someone appears to have symptoms similar to an opioid overdose with;
- small pupils,
- not breathing well,
- unresponsive but no response to naloxone,
- has a very low heart rate (30-40s),
- low blood pressure.
Since xylazine and opioid overdose symptoms are so similar, it is still important to use naloxone (also known as narcan) if you suspect someone is overdosing. Naloxone is harmless and will not cause any side effects to someone not experiencing an opioid overdose.
Please notify the state drug lab and the Poison Center (313-745-5711) if you suspect xylazine. For more information about overdose and opioid resources, visit Michigan Department of Health And Human Services (MDHHS) Substance Use Vulnerability Index. To see the full press release on MDHHS substance use vulnerability index, click here.
For substance use services in Van Buren County, visit the Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Services in Van Buren Community Mental Health. This organization can be reached at 269-655-3391 or by visiting their website.
For services in Cass County, visit Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network. They can be reached at their 24 hour crisis hotline and intake clinician at 269-445-245.
