Animal tranquilizers found in illegal opioids may suppress the lifesaving medication naloxone − and cause more overdose deaths
- Written by C. Michael White, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut
In March 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved naloxone as a nonprescription nasal spray to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesThe animal tranquilizers xylazine and medetomidine are in approximately one-third of the illegal opioids available in the U.S., including fentan...