Xylazine presents new needs in Harm Reduction strategies.
The Premier Biotech line of products is here to help save lives.
What is Xylazine/Tranq?
Street name “Tranq”, xylazine may be injected, snorted, inhaled, or swallowed.
Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, has increasingly been identified in the illicit drug supply chain over the past few years.
Xylazine has been found in cocaine, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines (like alprazolam/Xanax®) and heroin; it is often mixed with fentanyl. In some locations, it is showing up in over 90% of the confiscated illicit substances.
Xylazine has been linked to an increasing number of overdose deaths nationwide. Recently in some locations, ~30% of overdose deaths involved xylazine.
Xylazine is widely available for purchase from overseas suppliers at low cost, making it an attractive adulterant to illicit drug traffickers as it allows them to reduce the amount of heroin or fentanyl in a mixture.
Xylazine/Tranq Effects:
Xylazine is a deep sedative, having similar effects for users as opioids.
When xylazine is mixed with fentanyl, it has a longer-lasting effect than fentanyl alone.
Xylazine depresses the central nervous system, causing slowed breathing and drowsiness, reduced blood pressure and heart rate, hypothermia, respiratory depression, and coma.
Risks of Xylazine/Tranq:
Xylazine is not an opioid and is not responsive to Narcan.
Xylazine use has been highly associated with severe and persistent skin ulcers at the point of injection or anywhere the body has suffered a cut or even a bug bite. In severe cases, it can lead to amputation.
Since it is often found mixed with other substances, xylazine increases the potential for fatal overdoses.
The withdrawal symptoms from xylazine are similar, or more severe than from heroin or methadone; symptoms include sharp chest pains and seizures.
How is Premier Biotech helping in the fight against “Tranq” overdose?
Premier Biotech presents SAFe-X (Substance Analysis For Xylazine), a harm reduction tool for the immediate identification of Xylazine in liquid or powder substances in as little as 5 minutes. The test provides qualitative detection of Xylazine using simple lateral flow immunoassay technology.
Designed for easy use, providing more impact in harm reduction
Optimized to reduce inconsistent results
Uses simple ‘dip testing’ that is now familiar at harm reduction sites across the USA
Data obtained from “Health Alert” at the Philadelphia Department of Health Commisioner’s Office (March, 2022).
Premier Biotech now offers xylazine detection in its line of Bio-Dip® urine detection products. Urine testing strips are available for forensic use only (FUO) or research use only (RUO).
Obtain results quickly to identify whether xylazine is present in individuals who may be taking illicit substances.
Convenient single urine dips can be used with Bio-Cup or as an additional test with other Bio-Dip products.
The cut-off is optimized with low cross-reactivity to other compounds.