Xylazine was developed as an antihypertensive agent. During clinical studies in people xylazine was found to have excessive central nervous system depressant effects and it was subsequently introduced for veterinary use as a sedative, analgesic and relaxant. Xylazine is a potent alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Xylazine in horses and Cervidae may occasionally cause slight muscle tremors, bradycardia with partial A-V heart block and a reduced respiratory rate. Movement in response to sharp auditory stimuli may be observed.

Fentanyl is a potent agonist of mu opioid receptor. It is used to relieve severe pain, such as after surgery or during cancer treatment, and breakthrough pain (flare-ups of intense pain despite round-the-clock narcotic treatment). Fentanyl is an extremely powerful analgesic, 50–100-times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl harbors massive risk for addiction and abuse regardless of its prescription form. Fentanyl abuse is especially dangerous to those without a tolerance to opioids. The substance’s already elevated risk of overdose is multiplied when someone without a tolerance abuses it.