Twelve people were hospitalized and two died from drug overdoses in the early morning hours Friday, according to the Austin-Travis County EMS.
Some of the victims had unusual symptoms that aren’t typically consistent with opioid overdoses. Citing information from the hospitals that treated the patients, the ATCEMS Office of Chief Medical Officer said that a veterinary drug, xyalizine, was the cause of this.
“Xyalazine is an α₂ agonist used in veterinary medicine as a sedative and analgesic with muscle relaxant properties; it is also used as an emetic agent [something that causes vomiting]. Human studies on the drug were halted because of side effects, including CNS depression, blurred vision, hypotension, bradycardia, and hyperglycemia.”
An effective antidote to this drug is naloxone, which is also used in opioid overdoses. However, ATCEMS said “providers should expect to use higher than normal amounts.”
“Some patients have required up to 8mg. Due to its strong emetic [vomit-inducing] properties, providers should be prepared to suction their patients’ airways and position patients to prevent aspiration.”
The overdoses on Friday took place mostly around the downtown 6th Street entertainment district, with the two fatalities located at 7th Street and Sabine and 5th Street and Trinity.
In all, 13 ambulances and 10 command vehicles responded to the overdose incidents.
