Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, ISSN 0146-4760, Volume 25, Number 4, May/June 2001, pp. 245-249

Here is where the title stuff goes

Severe Intoxication with the Veterinary Tranquilizer Xylazine in Humans
U. Hoffmann1,*, C.M. Meister2, K. Golle2, and M. Zschiesche1
1Department of Pharmacology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23 d, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany and 2Department of Anaesthesiology, Central Hospital, Wollweber Str. 21, D-17109 Demmin, Germany

Xylazine (Rompun®, Proxylaz®) is a veterinary tranquilizing agent. A case of self-injection of 1.5 g xylazine by a 27-year-old farmer is reported. He subsequently became comatose, hypotensive, bradycardic, and mildly glycemic. An intensive supportive therapy including intubation and ventilation was required. The patient made a full recovery over the next 30 h. The largest concentrations measured were 4.6 mg/L in plasma, 446 mg/L in gastric fluid, and 194 mg/L in urine. The calculated plasma half-life was 4.9 h. Kinetic data correlated with clinical symptoms. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of xylazine were done by thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography. These methods allow the detection of small amounts substance in stomach, plasma, and urine. Liquid–liquid extraction was used for the isolation of drug. The sensitvity is high, and with these methods, a rapid analysis is possible. Xylazine intoxications in humans are rare. We describe the management of acute poisoning and present a review of xylazine toxicity in humans.

Reproduction of editorial content of this journal is prohibited without publisher’s permission.

| Home | Subscribe | Current Issue | Back Issues | Search | Advertise | Other Publications |