Xylazine Intoxication, A Case report

Xylazine is a colorless, bitter-tasted, crystalline substance, which is easily soluble in water. Xylazine is a strong alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, effective on alpha-2 receptors in central nervous system. It is a drug with relaxant, analgesic, and sedative properties. It reduces the release of noradrenaline and dopamine in the central nervous system; thus, it leads to sedation, muscular relaxation, and reduction of perception of painful stimuli. The use of xylazine in humans was investigated; however, it was not used due to significant hypotension. In this case report, we aimed to present a veterinary physician, who had attempted suicide by xylazine. Use of xylazine as a suicidal agent is a rare situation. There are few reports in which it was used for this purpose by veterinary physicians or people dealing with livestock. In recent years, it has started to be used as a narcotic substance. Since xylazine has started to be used as a narcotic substance, the probability of meeting with xylazine-related intoxication cases is increasing. With this case, we wanted to present xylazine in more detail, and to update, inform, and warn the emergency physicians on xylazine intoxication.