Xylazine is an analogue of clonidine and an agonist at the α2 class of adrenergic receptor; it is used for sedation, anesthesia, muscle relaxation, and analgesia in animals such as horses, cattle and other non-human mammals. Veterinarians also use xylazine as an emetic, especially in cats.
In veterinary anesthesia, xylazine is often used in combination with ketamine. It is sold under many brand names worldwide, most notably the Bayer brand name Rompun. The drug interactions vary with different animals.
It has become a drug of abuse, particularly in Puerto Rico, where it is diverted from stocks used by equine veterinarians and used as a cutting agent for heroin.
References
Further reading
- McCurnin, DM, and JM Bassert. Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 5th ed. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA. 2002.
- Bayer Healthcare - Rompun Homepage http://www.rompun.com/. 2005.
- Wright, Dr. Bob. Human Health Concerns When Working With Medications Around Horses. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/00-063.html. 2005.