Fatal hyperpyrexia caused by xylazine: a case report

Ping Dai; Yanqing Chen; Xianqin Luo; Zhiqiang Zhou; Zhiqiang Zhou; Mengdi Shi; Mengdi Shi; Aerbusili Genjiafu; Aerbusili Genjiafu; Xiangdong Jian; Xiangdong Jian

doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1437960

Frontiers in Pharmacology (Jul 2024)

Fatal hyperpyrexia caused by xylazine: a case report

Ping Dai,
Yanqing Chen,
Xianqin Luo,
Zhiqiang Zhou,
Zhiqiang Zhou,
Mengdi Shi,
Mengdi Shi,
Aerbusili Genjiafu,
Aerbusili Genjiafu,
Xiangdong Jian,
Xiangdong Jian

Affiliations

Ping Dai: Department of Poisoning and Occupational Diseases, Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Yanqing Chen: Emergency Department of Huangdao District Central Hospital, Qingdao, China
Xianqin Luo: Emergency Department of Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
Zhiqiang Zhou: Department of Poisoning and Occupational Diseases, Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Zhiqiang Zhou: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Mengdi Shi: Department of Poisoning and Occupational Diseases, Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Mengdi Shi: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Aerbusili Genjiafu: Department of Poisoning and Occupational Diseases, Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Aerbusili Genjiafu: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Xiangdong Jian: Department of Poisoning and Occupational Diseases, Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Xiangdong Jian: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1437960
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15

Abstract

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Xylazine is used in veterinary medicine as a sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant. However, in recent decades, it has frequently been detected in illicit drugs. Xylazine poisoning is characterized by depression of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. Herein, we present a case of a 41-year-old man who not only had severe depression of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, but also developed hyperpyrexia during the treatment of xylazine poisoning, which led to his death 3 days after poisoning. This case indicates that, in addition to its other effects, xylazine may also cause hyperthermia, which has not yet been reported in humans.

Published in Frontiers in Pharmacology

ISSN: 1663-9812 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology

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Abstract

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