Accidental Self-injection of Xylazine During Work: A Rare Case

Abstract

Xylazine is an alpha-2agonist often used as a sedative, analgesic and muscle relaxant agent in animals. Xylazine was not accepted by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human use due to hazardous side effect such as hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory depression and coma. This is a rare case report of a 64-year-old farmer who accidentally injected himself with Xylazine which was supposed to be given to a fractious cow. He developed altered conscious level, hypotension, bradycardia and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Fortunately, he recovered and was discharged home after three days. This occurred due to improper handling of Xylazine without standard operating procedures. Xylazine is regulated for animal use only. Therefore, effects of Xylazine toxicity in human must be emphasized for awareness on proper handling as well as for right management of its poisoning incident in future.