Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Xylazine
Introduction
Xylazine is a drug that is used for sedation, anesthesia, muscle relaxation, and analgesia in animals such as horses, cattle and other large mammals {non-human}. An analogue of clonidine, it is an agonist at the α2 class of adrenergic receptor. As with other α2 agonists, adverse effects include bradycardia, conduction disturbances, and myocardial depression. Yohimbine (Yobine) can be used to reverse xylazine effects. In veterinary anesthesia, xylazine is often used in combination with ketamine. No formal information in humans available. Xylazine is sold by Bayer under the brand name Rompun.
References
- 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.