Characteristics of xylazine-related deaths in West Virginia-Xylazine-related deaths.
Journal
The American journal on addictions
ISSN: 1521-0391
Titre abrégé: Am J Addict
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9208821
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
05 2023
05 2023
Historique:
revised:
11
11
2022
received:
14
07
2022
accepted:
19
11
2022
pmc-release:
01
05
2024
medline:
24
4
2023
pubmed:
13
12
2022
entrez:
12
12
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The involvement of xylazine, a veterinary drug, in West Virginia (WV) human drug-related deaths was examined. WV drug deaths from 2019 (when xylazine was first identified) to mid-2021. Characteristics including toxicology findings were compared between xylazine and nonxylazine deaths. Of 3292 drug deaths, 117 involved xylazine, and the proportions of deaths with it have increased (1% [2019] to 5% [mid-2021)]. Xylazine decedents had more cointoxicants, with fentanyl (98%) predominant followed by methamphetamine. Xylazine decedents had a significantly greater history of drug or alcohol misuse and hepatic disease. In one of the largest analyses of xylazine-involved deaths in a predominantly rural state, identification of xylazine was increasing with multiple cointoxicants (especially fentanyl), and was present in a few deaths with only one other substance involved. Health professionals should be aware of possible enhanced toxicity from xylazine ingestion especially since naloxone does not reverse xylazine's adverse effects.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The involvement of xylazine, a veterinary drug, in West Virginia (WV) human drug-related deaths was examined.
METHODS
WV drug deaths from 2019 (when xylazine was first identified) to mid-2021. Characteristics including toxicology findings were compared between xylazine and nonxylazine deaths.
RESULTS
Of 3292 drug deaths, 117 involved xylazine, and the proportions of deaths with it have increased (1% [2019] to 5% [mid-2021)]. Xylazine decedents had more cointoxicants, with fentanyl (98%) predominant followed by methamphetamine. Xylazine decedents had a significantly greater history of drug or alcohol misuse and hepatic disease.
CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE
In one of the largest analyses of xylazine-involved deaths in a predominantly rural state, identification of xylazine was increasing with multiple cointoxicants (especially fentanyl), and was present in a few deaths with only one other substance involved. Health professionals should be aware of possible enhanced toxicity from xylazine ingestion especially since naloxone does not reverse xylazine's adverse effects.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36504413
doi: 10.1111/ajad.13365
pmc: PMC10121736
mid: NIHMS1852194
doi:
Substances chimiques
Xylazine
2KFG9TP5V8
Fentanyl
UF599785JZ
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
309-313Subventions
Organisme : NIDA NIH HHS
ID : R21 DA040187
Pays : United States
Organisme : NIDA NIH HHS
ID : UG3 DA044825
Pays : United States
Organisme : NIGMS NIH HHS
ID : U54 GM104942
Pays : United States
Informations de copyright
© 2022 The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP).
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