Characteristics of xylazine-related deaths in West Virginia-Xylazine-related deaths

The involvement of xylazine, a veterinary drug, in West Virginia (WV) human drug-related deaths was examined.

WV drug deaths from 2019 (when xylazine was first identified) to mid-2021. Characteristics including toxicology findings were compared between xylazine and nonxylazine deaths.

Of 3292 drug deaths, 117 involved xylazine, and the proportions of deaths with it have increased (1% [2019] to 5% [mid-2021)]. Xylazine decedents had more cointoxicants, with fentanyl (98%) predominant followed by methamphetamine. Xylazine decedents had a significantly greater history of drug or alcohol misuse and hepatic disease.

In one of the largest analyses of xylazine-involved deaths in a predominantly rural state, identification of xylazine was increasing with multiple cointoxicants (especially fentanyl), and was present in a few deaths with only one other substance involved. Health professionals should be aware of possible enhanced toxicity from xylazine ingestion especially since naloxone does not reverse xylazine's adverse effects.