Xylazine, also referred to as tranq or tranq dope, is a sedative drug that is not approved for human use. It is commonly mixed with street drugs such as fentanyl and injected, ingested, or snorted. It can cause mild to severe side effects and may increase the risk of overdose. Testing drugs for the presence of xylazine can help people use drugs more safely.
- Xylazine test strips are a quick and effective way to test drugs for the presence of xylazine.
- Testing drugs can help people make an informed decision about how to use their drugs safely and better understand the potential risks.
- Treatment for xylazine abuse, withdrawal, and overdose may involve professional interventions such as rehab, medical assistance, and therapy.
What is a xylazine test strip?
Xylazine test strips are small strips of paper that can be used to check drugs for the presence of xylazine. They can give a positive or negative result, indicating if the drug contains xylazine, but cannot provide information about the quantity or strength of xylazine within the substance. [1]
Checking drugs for xylazine can help people make informed decisions about whether or not they choose to use the substance or the method with which they use it. [2]
Although they are mostly reliable, test strips cannot be 100% accurate and may sometimes fail to detect xylazine or could give a false-positive result. [3]
Other tests can be used to identify xylazine, such as urine and blood tests, although these tests are used after the administration of the drug so they cannot help inform individuals prior to use. Drugs can also be tested in laboratories using other technology such as infrared spectrometry, although this is not as quick or accessible. [3][4]
What is xylazine?
Xylazine is a tranquilizer medication, only approved for use in veterinary medicine as a sedative and analgesic for animals. It is increasingly being found in the US drug supply, most commonly mixed with fentanyl. It is also increasingly linked to overdose deaths in the US. [5]
Xylazine can enhance the sedating effects of opioids and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which can increase the risk of adverse effects and overdose. Common effects of xylazine include drowsiness, severe changes in heart rate, breathing difficulties, and wounds or lesions on the skin. [5]
Drug testing with xylazine strips
Xylazine test strips can be used with small samples of drugs to detect whether xylazine is present. They are simple to use and can provide mostly accurate results within minutes, which can help people make decisions about how they use the drug. [2]
How to test for xylazine
Above is an example of what a xylazine test strip might look like, with wavy lines at one end. To use the test strip, follow these steps. [1][3]
- Place a sample of your drug, around 10mg if possible, into a dry and clean container.
- Mix 5 ml (one teaspoon) of clean water per 10mg, allowing the substance to dissolve.
- Remove the test strip from its packaging and use it within one hour. Don’t touch the end of the strip with the wavy lines.
- Hold the strip in the mixture for 10 seconds so that the water covers the wavy lines but does not go over the bold line above.
- Remove the test strip and place it on a flat surface.
- Read the results after 5 minutes. After 10 minutes, the results are no longer reliable and should not be read.
Xylazine test kit results
Xylazine test strips are designed to be easy to read and identify if the tested substance is contaminated. The below images indicate positive, negative, and invalid results.
Positive result
A positive result indicates that the substance contains xylazine. However, it cannot specify the quantity of xylazine in the sample. A false-positive can occur in a small percentage of cases, meaning that the test incorrectly indicates the presence of xylazine. This can be caused by substances such as lidocaine. [4]
A positive result is shown by one line that appears at the opposite end to the wavy lines, as shown below.
Negative result
A negative result indicates that the sample does not contain xylazine. However, tests are not 100% accurate and false-negatives can occasionally occur. As such, it is recommended to be cautious when using the substance even after a negative result. Additionally, as this test only checks for xylazine, it does not indicate the presence of any other unexpected substances in the sample.
A negative result is shown by two lines, as shown below.
Invalid result
An invalid result indicates that the test has not worked properly. It is recommended to retest the sample if possible, to determine if xylazine is present.
An invalid result is shown by no lines or only one line closer to the wavy lines, as shown below.
Harm reduction strategies when getting a positive result for xylazine
Potential harm reduction strategies to use if you test your drugs for xylazine and get a positive result include:
- Choosing not to use the substance at all
- Taking a smaller amount of the substance
- Taking the substance more slowly or with a different method, such as ingesting instead of injecting
- Visiting a supervised consumption site to take the substance with professional supervision
If you or someone you know chooses to use the substance after finding out it contains xylazine, it is important to be aware of the signs of overdose and how to manage it. Signs of a xylazine overdose might include: [6]
- Trouble breathing
- Severely slowed heart rate
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
In the event of an overdose, call 911 immediately. Administer naloxone if it is available. This does not treat xylazine overdose but can reduce opioid overdose effects if xylazine is combined with an opioid, which is common. [6]
If you or someone you know has been using xylazine and notices signs of wounds or lesions on the skin, you can manage this at home by keeping the wounds clean, moist, and bandaged. If the wounds become larger or infected, seek professional care to prevent wounds from worsening, as they can become severe or life-threatening. [7]
Where are xylazine test strips available?
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) has provided several grant programs to allow communities to purchase and distribute xylazine test strips. Access to test strips will vary from state to state and they may be available at local clinics or supervised consumption sites. [2]
People can also buy xylazine test strips online to use at home.
Where to find treatment for xylazine abuse
People using xylazine may require professional support in managing substance abuse. You can speak to your doctor about a referral to specialist services or you can use the Recovered directory to look for local rehab providers. Various treatments are available including:
-guide-detail.jpg?v=1722503514)