Horse, cattle sedative contributing to opioid overdose deaths in Vermont [View all]

The drug, xylazine, is used as a sedative, muscle relaxant and pain reliever in animals such as horses and cattle. It is not approved for human use.

In people, researchers say, it reduces the functioning of the central nervous system and can cause respiratory depression, slowed heart rate and low blood pressure.

But some Vermonters have apparently taken the drug along with opioids such as fentanyl and heroin.

Between January 2019 and July of this year, 26 Vermonters who died from an opioid overdose also had xylazine in their system, according to a report issued Thursday by the Vermont Department of Health.



https://vtdigger.org/2021/11/02/health-officials-horse-cattle-sedative-contributing-to-opioid-overdose-deaths-in-vermont/