Tranq: What to know about the “zombie drug.”

Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is apparently wreaking havoc in the United States. And while there are many reports of “xylazine-associated” or “xylazine-involved” deaths, that doesn’t necessarily mean that xylazine was the direct killer, says Nelson. One very important difference between xylazine and fentanyl: “It doesn’t shut down that drive to breathe like opioids do,” she says. “Naloxone specifically talks just to opioid receptors,” says Zagorski, “so it’s like the wrong key in a lock.” But because most products are a combination of both xylazine and fentanyl, it’s still worthwhile to administer Narcan to try to reverse the opioid effects. “But just the mere presence in space that you’re in, ambient exposure, is not a problem.” Interestingly enough, Nelson says some data suggests xylazine has a protective factor.