The ‘Flesh-Eating’ Drug That Turns People Into Zombies – What Is Xylazine Or Tranq?

Public health professionals are alarmed by the terrible injuries users suffer from a new street medication that is being sold in Philadelphia, the epicenter of America’s opioid crisis.

“Tranq” (xylazine), sometimes referred to as a “zombie drug“, has been causing havoc in major US cities. Users’ skin deteriorates as a result of the “zombie drug.”.

Tranq is a drug made from fentanyl, an opiate that has ravaged America’s youth, and Xylazine. The street price for a bag is only a few bucks. Dealers know that fentanyl lengthens the “high.”

When left untreated, eschar, a scaly crust of dead tissue formed by open wounds, could necessitate an amputation.

Horses and cows are often given the sedative xylazine, which can cause sedative-like symptoms like excessive fatigue, respiratory depression, and open wounds that can become severe if exposed repeatedly. Leaving crusty ulcerations untreated may result in amputation if they develop into dead skin called eschar.

Until nine months ago, I never had wounds. Now, I have holes in my legs and feet,” says Sam, 28, a 28-year-old young man.

When used in larger doses, xylazine completely renders users unconscious since it is a tranquilizer. In contrast to opioids’ semi-awake bliss, fentanyl cut with xylazine may cause users to pass out and reappear hours later. Injuries caused by drug use in this manner are significantly more common.

Since “tranq” isn’t classified as a controlled substance either for humans or animals, hospitals rarely test for it with normal toxicology testing.

When drugs are combined with xylazine, the psychoactive effects are amplified, increasing the enjoyment of drug use. Drug producers and distributors also prefer synthetic pharmaceuticals. By utilizing innovative formulations, they enable expanding market reach and revenues, while providing low-cost ways to manufacture products with high potency.