Tech & Science dictionary
tranq dope
tranq, zombie drug [ trangk dohp ]
What does tranq dope mean?
Tranq dope is a slang nickname for xylazine, a substance that is used by veterinarians as a tranquilizer. The nickname tranq dope is almost always used when discussing xylazine in the context of its use in illicit drugs, especially when it is combined with fentanyl.
In the United States, xylazine is approved for use on animals as a tranquilizing agent by veterinarians. It is most often given to large animals such as horses or cattle. It is not approved for human use because clinical tests on humans resulted in severe medical effects. Xylazine can have life-threatening effects on both the central nervous system and blood pressure.
The name tranq dope is used in reference to xylazine by itself, but this name is often used to refer specifically to a combination of xylazine and fentanyl. This combination of drugs is especially dangerous because the toxic effects of xylazine are magnified when combined with opioids, and fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid. Some potential effects of this combination include severe respiratory problems and skin becoming necrotic and rotting off of the body.
The illicit trade and use of tranq dope has been a concern since the late 2010s. In 2023, the U.S. government declared tranq dope to be an “emerging threat” to the country, which brought wider attention to the dangerous drug combination.
Where does tranq dope come from?
The name tranq dope as a street name to refer to xylazine has been used since at least the late 2010s. The exact origin of the name is unknown. It seems likely that tranq is short for tranquilizer, as xylazine is used as an animal tranquilizer. Dope may be the slang sense of dope, meaning “a narcotic” or “an illicit drug.”
Tranq dope was reported as a concern as early as 2018 in the city of Philadelphia. At that time, the United States was experiencing an opioid crisis in which a significant number of people were dying from overdoses of opioids, with fentanyl being especially common and dangerous. Xylazine is often mixed with other drugs to increase their potency. It increases the chance of overdose from the already potent fentanyl. By the early 2020s, federal government agencies issued warnings and alerts about the dangers of tranq dope.
Examples of tranq dope
Who uses tranq dope?
The slang nickname tranq dope is used in casual conversations and in the news to refer to xylazine or xylazine mixed with fentanyl.
America's opioid/fentanyl crisis (especially with this new tranq dope) is absolutely horrific
— frannie-ann 🇯🇲 (@LadySeeSaw_) February 16, 2023
Ever heard of Tranq Dope?
Man, be careful out there
— Big Vessel of God🦅 (@Big_VesselOfGod) February 16, 2023
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of tranq dope like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of tranq dope that will help our users expand their word mastery.