Monroe County health officials are warning that a horse tranquilizer has been found mixed with street drugs in several fatal overdoses.
The drug is Xylazine, an animal muscle relaxant not approved for use in humans. It can produce affects including depression of the central nervous system, shallow or stopped breathing and low blood pressure or slower heart rate.
County Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Mike Mendoza says Xylazine has been found cut into heroin, fentanyl and cocaine. Narcan doesn’t work on it, but should still be given in an overdose case because it’s usually mixed with opioids