Deadly veterinary drug from Ontario now in Interior Health

A drug alert has been issued for the entire Interior Health region, warning of a veterinary drug that has severe side effects.

The health authority issued the alert July 20, for xylazine, a sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant that can be fatal when used on its own.

Naloxone will not work on xylazine but it will work on any opioids that are present, according to the health authority.

The drug is commonly found in the eastern United States drug supply and regularly appears in Ontario.

Xylazine can increase health risks and greatly increase the risk of overdose. Long blackouts, coma, and deaths have been reported, according to the health authority.

Interior Health is warning users to use as little as possible with great caution.

Xylazine use is often associated with abscesses and other skin ulcerations that do not heal on their own, often becoming infected and complicated. These skin lesions do not come from the injection sites, they can be found anywhere on the body.

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