The United States restricts imports of an animal sedative due to its relationship with a multitude of overdoses

The drug, which is approved for veterinary use, is mixed with illicit street drugs with devastating health effects.

MADRID, 1 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The United States Government has announced on Tuesday a series of restrictive measures against the illegal importation of xylazine, an animal sedative that is used in the country by mixing it with other types of drugs, and which is commonly known as 'tranq'.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has indicated that xylazine, which is not approved for use in humans, has caused serious and life-threatening side effects.

"Therefore, in an effort to protect public health and safeguard against unsafe non-veterinary use, the FDA is issuing this import alert for xylazine-containing drugs," reads a statement from the health agency.

The drug, which has been identified primarily in combination with heroin and fentanyl, "is increasingly being detected in illicit drug supplies and in human drug overdoses," the FDA's letter continued.

'Tranq', which causes putrefactive wounds on consumers' skin, has alarmed public health experts, as well as lawmakers, who are struggling to control an opioid crisis that is killing thousands of people each month, reports ' The Washington Post'.

Following the announcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has praised the measure and has promised to stop "the devastating wave of drug poisoning that is plaguing" the country, according to the aforementioned newspaper.

Xylazine is a drug for animals approved in 1972 by the FDA as a sedative and pain reliever. It is used in many different animal species to calm and ease handling, perform diagnostic and surgical procedures, relieve pain, or act as a local anesthetic.