ResearchPublications

Letter to the Editor regarding Nwodim O et al.

“However, we have significant concerns regarding their attribution of the adverse effects to xylazine. The case description is identical to that of a hypoxic, multiorgan system insult resulting from an opioid overdose, including liver injury, rhabdomyolysis, and cerebral infarcts. While the authors appropriately note that the unregulated fentanyl supply is increasingly adulterated with xylazine, “xylazine overdose” is currently always a xylazine–fentanyl overdose. Therefore, the contribution of fentanyl in overdose victims cannot be overlooked or underestimated, and especially given hearing loss, it is far more likely that the patient’s injuries were due to fentanyl.”