Animal tranquiliser added to opioids causing ‘steep increase’ in deaths

Authors of a new study say there is not enough awareness of the effects of xylazine, which is being mixed into fentanyl

Medical researchers have called for greater education about the rise of an animal tranquilliser, xylazine, in the US's illicit opioid supply that is not only contributing to deaths but causing severe ulcers and open wounds requiring amputation.

The authors of a new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine have warned of insufficient awareness about the drug now widely found mixed in with heroin and the even more deadly opioid fentanyl, which has driven up overdoses to record levels in recent years.