What Is Xylazine?

What it is

Xylazine is a veterinary sedative that has emerged as an adulterant in the illicit opioid supply.

Why it matters

Xylazine testing is increasingly relevant in toxicology due to its role in overdose cases.

Specimen

Urine

Cut-off

Assay-dependent

Interpretation

Positive = xylazine detected (presumptive).

Limitations

Emerging adulterant — confirm by LC-MS/MS; limited cross-reactivity data.

Related test: Xylazine (XYL) Rapid Test — specimen: Urine

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Last reviewed: 2026-09-12