L.A. CADA wants you to know that the drug epidemic in America is constantly changing. Here's what you need to know about the emerging illegal drug called Xylazine.

• What is Xylazine?
  Xylazine, often called 'Tranq' or the 'zombie drug', is a non-opioid animal tranquilizer that is increasingly mixed with fentanyl for sale on the streets. It's not intended for human use. Dealers mix it into illegal drugs like fentanyl to make the high last longer, and most users don't even know they're taking it.
  
  
• What does Xylazine look like?
  On the streets, the drug's physical form can vary depending on its preparation and use. Most commonly, xylazine is encountered in two main forms: a clear or slightly yellow liquid solution and a white crystalline powder. The liquid form is often used for injections, while the powder form serves as the raw compound before being dissolved or processed into street drugs.
  
  
• What does Xylazine do?
  Xylazine slows body functions, lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing to dangerous levels. It causes extreme sleepiness, confusion, and memory loss. Xylazine can enhance the effects of opioids, increasing the risk of fatal overdose when used in combination with them.
  
  
• How can it harm me?
  Xylazine can cause physical dependence and tolerance with repeated use, leading to withdrawal symptoms when stopped. This drug also tends to cause large, painful skin ulcers and gruesome open wounds, even on parts of the body not used for injection.
  
  
• How is it treated?
  Naloxone will not reverse the effects of xylazine. However, because xylazine is often used with opioids like fentanyl, naloxone should still be given. It's important to call 911 since the effects of xylazine may continue after naloxone is given. First responders have reported that rescue breaths are especially helpful for people who have used xylazine to address slow breathing. To give rescue breaths to adults, make sure the person's airway is clear; place one hand on the person's chin, tilt the head back, and pinch the nose closed. Place your mouth over the person's mouth to make a seal and give two slow breaths. Watch for the person's chest (but not the stomach) to rise and follow up with one breath every 5 seconds.
  
  
• Bottom Line:
  Addiction continues to be a major public health concern, and new drugs such as Xylazine aren't helping. If you or someone you love needs drug treatment, give L.A. CADA a call at (562) 923-0676. We're here for you.

L.A. CADA wants you to know that the drug epidemic in America is constantly changing. There's a new threat on the streets of L.A. County. Here's what you need to know about Cychlorphine.

• What does Cychlorphine look like?
  Cychlorphine is an uncontrolled drug and doesn't have a single, recognizable look. It's manufactured as a synthetic chemical powder and rarely sold in its pure, unmixed form. In illicit drug supplies, it typically appears as a white, off-white, or brownish-white powder. It is frequently pressed into fake, look-alike prescription tablets and has been found disguised as Oxycodone, Percocet, and Xanax. You may not know you're taking it because it's often mixed with or hidden inside other illicit substances like fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin.
  
  
• What does Cychlorphine do?
  Cychlorphine acts on opioid receptors in the brain, leading to euphoria, relaxation, and pain relief. Like other opioids, it can lead to dependence and abuse. This powerful synthetic opioid belongs to a class of drugs called orphines, first developed in the 1960s as a stronger painkiller for conditions like bone cancer. Side effects include extreme drowsiness, sedation, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and pinpoint pupils.
  
  
• How can Cychlorphine harm me?
  It can cause slowed or stopped breathing, blue or gray lips and fingertips, unresponsiveness or unconsciousness, and gurgling or choking sounds. Cychlorphine may interact with other drugs and alcohol to suppress the central nervous system and cause respiratory distress.
  
  
• What can be done to help?
  Call 911. Cychlorphine is a strong drug that can require multiple doses of Narcan (naloxone) for reversal to be effective. Naloxone needs to be administered before brain swelling occurs, according to Lewis Nelson, MD, a medical toxicologist at Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.
  
  
• Bottom Line:
  Opioid addiction continues to be a major public health concern, and new drugs such as Cychlorphine aren't helping. If you or someone you love needs opioid treatment, give L.A. CADA a call at (562) 923-0676. We're here for you.