UPMC creates blueprint for treating patients related to Xylazine-laced drugs

UPMC has created a blueprint for treating patients experiencing gruesome side effects from drugs laced with xylazine.

• Apr 23, 2025

Philadelphia health officials issue alert over potent sedative, "rhino tranq," found in illicit drug supply

A new and potent sedative has been found mixed in with the illicit drug supply in Philadelphia, and it's more powerful than xylazine, another animal sedative.

• Jun 3, 2024

Pittsburgh doctors see uptick in people with serious side effects from "zombie drug"

Xylazine, known on the street as "tranq," is a horse tranquilizer that drug dealers mix with illicit drugs to increase the high from opioids.

• May 14, 2024

Pittsburgh doctors see increase in people with side effects from xylazine

Doctors in Pittsburgh say they're seeing a serious uptick in people dealing with serious side effects of xylazine.

• May 14, 2024

Pennsylvania House votes to criminalize animal sedative xylazine while keeping it available to veterinarians

Legislation to keep an animal tranquilizer accessible for its intended use by veterinarians, but criminalize it in combination with other drugs, has passed the Pennsylvania state House.

• Oct 5, 2023

2 die from xylazine overdoses in Beaver County, prompting warning from DA

The Beaver County district attorney is warning about the animal tranquilizer xylazine after he said two people fatally overdosed on the drug.

• Sep 20, 2023

White House lays out effort against animal sedative xylazine but doesn't call for new restrictions

Federal officials are calling for more testing and research on xylazine, the powerful animal sedative that's spreading through the nation's illicit drug supply.

• Jul 11, 2023

Pennsylvania to schedule veterinary tranquilizer xylazine as controlled substance

Pennsylvania is taking steps to limit access to the veterinary tranquilizer xylazine by scheduling it as a schedule III drug.

• Apr 18, 2023