History of Xylazine

"Originally developed as an anti-hypertensive agent by Farbenfabriken Bayer AG (now Bayer AG) in 1962, xylazine was found to cause severe hypotension and central nervous system depression.7,8 Xylazine was never approved for human use but was instead approved in 1967 as a sedative in large animal anesthesia.7,9 Shortly after its development, xylazine’s danger became quickly evident from multiple reported suicide attempts, accidental injections or ingestions, and illicit production and abuse.10, 11, 12, 13

"Years later, medical providers in Puerto Rico first reported chronic wound issues in patients using xylazine.14 Around this same time, medical examiners in Philadelphia found xylazine in samples of seven patients who had experienced overdose deaths.15 More recently, as testing specifically for xylazine has been introduced in certain areas, the prevalence of xylazine has increased and become more widespread throughout the entire US.16"