Xylazine

Medetomidine Controlled Substance

Street drugs are being cut with a potent sedative, but criminalizing it may worsen Philly's addiction crisis

Philly health department is beefing up response to powerful vet tranquilizer

Medetomidine is replacing xylazine in Philly's street fentanyl supply

Fentanyl Test Strip

The drop in overdose deaths may be the result of more veterinary tranquilizers – and less fentanyl – in street drugs

Drug Overdose Deaths

Philly hospitals test new strategy for 'tranq dope' withdrawal – and it keeps patients from walking out before their treatment is done

Tranq Dope Withdrawal

Philly's 'dope' is ever changing, and that poses challenges for health care workers on the front lines

drugs front line medicine

Fatal overdoses fell slightly in the U.S. last year, but fentanyl still poses a big threat

Drug users and unhoused people consider their next paths ahead of city's crackdown in Kensington

Kensington Addiction Homelessness

As fentanyl increasingly taints cocaine and other stimulants, drug testing strips are needed to save lives, officials say

drug test strips

Fentanyl withdrawal is driving more opioid users to leave hospitals early, Penn researchers say

Fentanyl Patients Hospitals

White House plan targets xylazine, the animal sedative now commonly found in Philly's drug supply

Pennsylvania to make animal sedative xylazine a schedule III drug

White House gives xylazine unprecedented 'emerging threat' designation

Purchased - woman standing by christmas tree with decoration tired

How to keep holiday stress in check this season

Light Lamp SAD

After a lifetime of seasonal depression, I finally tried light therapy. Here's what I learned

Shinges Vaccine Dementia

Shingles vaccine may offer an additional benefit — slowing the progress of dementia

Zipporah Washington Temple

Nurse who beat hard-to-treat cancer says she stayed strong by thinking of herself as a 'survivor'

Healthy Eating Flying

Here's how to still eat healthy at the airport and on a plane

Purchased - A depressed person sitting on the floor

Suicide prevention: No more stigma

Just In

The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this website, are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice.

ahealthierphilly is sponsored by Independence Blue Cross, the leading health insurance organization in Southeastern Pennsylvania, serving nearly 2.5 million people in the region, providing health news and related information that leads to a more informed, healthier life.

ahealthierphilly and its health-related information resources are not a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment that patients receive from their physicians or health care providers and are not meant to be the practice of medicine, the practice of nursing, or to carry out any professional health care advice or service in the state where you live. Nothing in this website is meant to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or professional treatment.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding your health condition. You should not disregard medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice, because of something you read on this site. In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately.

This website does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on this website. Descriptions of, references to, or links to other products, publications, or services does not imply endorsement of any kind. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk.

Although we try to keep the information on the site as accurate as possible, ahealthierphilly disclaims any warranty concerning its accuracy, timeliness and completeness of content, and any other warranty, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. ahealthierphilly also reserves the right to temporarily or permanently discontinue this website, any page or any functionality at any time and without any notice.

The website and its content are provided on an “as is” basis.

© 2025 WWB Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved