Xylazine in human tissue and fluids in a case of fatal drug abuse.

A fatal case of multiple drug abuse in a 36-year-old veterinarian involving injection of xylazine and ingestion of alcohol and clorazepate is presented. Quantitative analysis of xylazine was by gas liquid chromatography with a nitrogen detector. Xylazine concentrations (mg/L or mg/kg) were: blood, 0.2; brain, 0.4; kidney, 0.6; liver, 0.9; lung, 1.1; omentum adipose 0.05; and urine, 7.0. Blood ethanol and nordiazepam concentrations were 380 mg/dL and 2.5 mg/L, respectively.