what is xylazine used for

Xylazine is a tranquilizer primarily used by veterinarians to provide sedation, pain relief, and muscle relaxation in animals such as dogs, cats, horses, and other species. It is not approved for use in humans, but it is sometimes used as a street drug when mixed with other substances, mainly fentanyl, to enhance the effects and lower the price. This illicit use of xylazine can lead to serious medical problems and death by overdose. Xylazine is not a controlled substance in the United States, and it is primarily used as an additive in the unregulated drug supply, particularly in combination with fentanyl, to extend the duration of its effects. The use of xylazine in humans is associated with severe central nervous system depression or sedation, and it has been found to induce opioid-like effects, including sedation, slowed heart rate, and small pupils. Additionally, xylazine has been used to facilitate sexual assault, and its presence in illicit drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, has been documented throughout the United States.