This discussion was recorded on December 12, 2022. This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Robert D. Glatter, MD: Welcome. I'm Dr Robert Glatter, medical advisor for Medscape Emergency Medicine. Joining me today to discuss the growing epidemic and abuse of the sedative xylazine (street name, Tranq), along with its unique skin findings, is Dr Joseph D'Orazio, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Temple University and director of the Division of Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine.
Welcome, Dr D'Orazio.
Joseph L. D'Orazio, MD: Thanks for having me.
Glatter: It's very important that we discuss a growing trend that's been noted, especially in Philadelphia — and you're quite aware of this — of the drug xylazine. I want to ask you, how did it come to be a drug of abuse?
D'Orazio: Well, it started mostly in Puerto Rico in the 2000s. That's our first knowledge of this drug being used recreationally. It made it to Philadelphia in as early as 2006. It's typically consumed with opioids together as a unit, like fentanyl and xylazine together. In Puerto Rico, we have some knowledge that it was used the same way, and then sometimes, people were using that drug primarily.
Glatter:
Botulinum Toxin
Botulinum Toxin in Pain Management
Ethylene Glycol Toxicity
COMMENTARY
What's Best for Treating Patients Who Are on Xylazine or 'Tranq'?
Robert D. Glatter, MD; Joseph L. D'Orazio, MD
DisclosuresDecember 27, 2022
This discussion was recorded on December 12, 2022. This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Robert D. Glatter, MD: Welcome. I'm Dr Robert Glatter, medical advisor for Medscape Emergency Medicine. Joining me today to discuss the growing epidemic and abuse of the sedative xylazine (street name, Tranq), along with its unique skin findings, is Dr Joseph D'Orazio, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Temple University and director of the Division of Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine.
Welcome, Dr D'Orazio.
Joseph L. D'Orazio, MD: Thanks for having me.
Glatter: It's very important that we discuss a growing trend that's been noted, especially in Philadelphia — and you're quite aware of this — of the drug xylazine. I want to ask you, how did it come to be a drug of abuse?
D'Orazio: Well, it started mostly in Puerto Rico in the 2000s. That's our first knowledge of this drug being used recreationally. It made it to Philadelphia in as early as 2006. It's typically consumed with opioids together as a unit, like fentanyl and xylazine together. In Puerto Rico, we have some knowledge that it was used the same way, and then sometimes, people were using that drug primarily.
Glatter:
Medscape Emergency Medicine © 2022
Cite this: Robert D. Glatter, Joseph L. D'Orazio. What's Best for Treating Patients Who Are on Xylazine or 'Tranq'? - Medscape - Dec 27, 2022.
Tables
Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Author(s)
Robert D. Glatter, MD
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New York, NY
Disclosure: Robert D. Glatter, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Joseph L. D'Orazio, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology & Addiction Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University; Director, Division of Medical Toxicology & Addiction Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Disclosure: Joseph L. D'Orazio, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.