The Greater Cincinnati region finds itself on the forefront of another dangerous drug trend. Healthcare providers are reporting an increase in cases of the opioid drug fentanyl being tainted with xylazine, an animal sedative. Often called tranq dope, it's the newest challenge in the opioid epidemic. The drug is cheap and easy to get, so sellers add it to their fentanyl supplies to multiply their profits. It is said to lengthen the euphoria effects for people who use drugs but causes chaotic health conditions.
In a story published by Cincinnati.com, several local experts were interviewed, including Richard Ryan, MD, of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the UC College of Medicine. He said the emergency department at the UC Medical Center is seeing an uptick of patients suffering from xylazine-related health crises.
