HOUSTON – A local rehab facility said it received its first case of a deadly drug that is making its way across the country.
Its called xylazine, also known as the “Zombie Drug” or “Tranq.”
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“It is an animal tranquilizer that is typically used on horses,” said Christina DesOrmeaux, head nurse of Cenikor Deer Park.
KPRC2′s Corley Peel spoke with Christina DesOrmeaux who saved a woman’s life. She said the woman in her 60′s was the first patient to test positive for Xylazine right before Christmas.
DesOrmeaux said xylazine is often laced with fentanyl but in this case, it was laced in heroin and fentanyl. She said the woman did not realize she took xylazine.
“She had came in for treatment for fentanyl and heroin,” DesOrmeaux said. “She was a 30-year user.”
Helping the woman in distress, DesOrmeaux picked up signs that she was on xylazine.
When Corley asked, “What was the first red flag that you knew that this was some other drug? This wasn’t just fentanyl, this wasn’t heroine?”
DesOrmeaux responded, “The Narcan. The idea that the Narcan did not even hit her.”
Experts say, Narcan can not save someone from a Xylazine overdose.
She continued, “We had actually used, if I recall, two separate doses of Narcan and it didn’t do anything with her. We ended up having to dispatch 911 to come and get her to take her to a local hospital.
The tranquilizer is used to sedate animals and is not safe for humans.
DesOrmeaux said users tend to fall asleep while standing up.
“What’s hallmark with the xylazine, its like a Zombie, like, hunched over and they slouch to one side typically when they use, they fall asleep because the drug has such a sedative effect,” DesOrmeaux said.
She said the drug can eat through flesh -- causing severe wounds.
“It can cause loss of limbs, it can cause loss of fingers, toes,” DesOrmeaux said.
Fortunately, the patient she saved was successfully released from the hospital.
“If she wasn’t here, what are the chances that she could have survived?” Corley asked.
“Probably not,” DesOrmeaux responded. “She would have just fallen into a sleep and passed away.”
She said this was the first case, but it likely won’t be the last.
Cenikor stated that it has received other suspected cases, but only one confirmed case at this time.
Corley also sat down with the DEA to talk about the drugs impact here in Houston.
“We are definitely seeing a greater influx of it here in the greater area of Houston.” said Lee Nash, assistant special agent in charge of DEA Houston.
Nash said it is unclear how many cases there have been in Houston. He shared how easy it is to find the street drug.
“Because it’s not regulated and it’s approved by the food and drug administration for veterinary use, you can buy it on the internet,” said Nash. “There are certain documents that you have to have.”
He said Xylazine is commonly mixed with fentanyl, heroin, meth and even marijuana.
“Most of the time, users don’t know that xylazine is anywhere in the product,” said Nash.
Nash said it only takes a small amount for someone to die from the Zombie drug.