Xylazine Poisoning in Clinical and Forensic Practice: Analysis Method, Characteristics, Mechanism and Future Challenges

Abstract

Xylazine abuse is emerging globally, while the identification of xylazine lethal cases poses a great challenge in clinical and forensic practice. The non-specific symptoms delay the diagnosis and treatment of xylazine poisoning, the pathological changes and lethal concentration of xylazine in body fluid and organs of fatal xylazine poisoning cases are seldom reported and the other toxins detected in such cases complicate the role of xylazine in the cause of death. Therefore, we carefully reviewed related updated information on xylazine, summarized the knowledge from clinical and forensic perspectives and can thus provide a reference in such cases and throw light on further study in the field of xylazine poisoning.

Evaluation of a hapten conjugate vaccine against the “zombie drug” xylazine

“…Moreover, antibodies demonstrate higher safety profiles and selectivity against the targeted drug making them a viable emergency measure for opioid overdose, even in cases where the presence of xylazine is uncertain. 19 We also highlight that the mechanism of action underlying antibody therapy allows for its potential application across different drugs, thereby streamlining the development of therapeutics against emerging substances and those with multifaceted receptors like xylazine.…”