Xylazine More Commonly Identified in Fentanyl Powders, According to DEA

June 19, 2025

Since 2020, xylazine has become more prevalent in the illicit drug supply, according to Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment. The veterinary tranquilizer has been found more often in powdered fentanyl, whereas acetaminophen has been identified more frequently in fake fentanyl pills. Besides xylazine and acetaminophen, the agency listed heroin, para-fluorofentanyl, 4-ANPP, fluorofentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, caffeine, and medetomidine as the top 10 drugs mixed with fentanyl in 2024.  See DEA Press release here.

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