Tranq burn: Exploring the etiology of xylazine-related soft tissue injuries
While this study cannot confirm a causal role, our findings of reported burning sensations and moderate to high acidity of lab-tested drugs are coherent with reported rapid vein loss following initiation of tranq injection. This, in turn, lends early support to a synergistic hypothesis of tranq-related SSTW etiology: vein loss and subcutaneous injections stem from the injection of acidic drugs followed by poor tissue perfusion from vasoconstriction due to xylazine. Possible harm reduction interventions include dilution and buffering. Stigma reduction and enhanced wound care are required in harm reduction and clinical settings.
Authors
- Fernando Montero
- Sarah G. Mars (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7109-8602)
- Daniel Ciccarone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2355-5477)
- Jeff Ondocsin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9954-7932)
- Nicole Holm
- Alex J. Krotulski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1775-1882)
- George Karandinos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0398-0692)
- Christopher Moraff
- Max Denn
Institutions
- University of California, San Francisco (US)
- New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (US)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- Fredric Rieders Family Foundation (US)
- HealthMedia (United States) (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Drug Policy
- Published
- 2025-05-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104830
- Citations
- 6
- Primary Topic
- Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 14.13