AOD Health
AOD Health
S3 Ep2: Ashish Thakrar, MD and Raagini Jawa, MD on wounds attributed to xylazine exposure among people who use drugs
S3 Ep2: Ashish Thakrar, MD and Raagini Jawa, MD on wounds attributed to xylazine exposure among people who use drugs
S3 Ep2: Ashish Thakrar, MD and Raagini Jawa, MD on wounds attributed to xylazine exposure among people who use drugs
Thursday 14th August 2025
Explore xylazine exposure impacts among drug users with Dr. Ashish Thakrar and Dr. Raagini Jawa. Learn about healthcare challenges and patient experiences.
52 minutes
informative
challenging
empathetic
concerned
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AOD Health
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Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Sobriety Toolkit
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
Navigating Intimate Relationships
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Get the buttons here!Understanding Xylazine Wounds: Insights & Challenges
Episode Overview
- Xylazine as an adulterant in illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
- Wound characteristics among patients exposed to xylazine.
- Healthcare system challenges in treating addiction and wounds.
- Importance of listening to patient experiences in drug supply shifts.
- Need for reshaping healthcare systems to address addiction-related wounds.
It's really by listening to our patients. I think that they're the ones that tell us when there's shifts in the drug supply.
The latest episode of 'Behind the Evidence' delves into the pressing issues surrounding xylazine exposure among people who use drugs. Hosted by Marc LaRochelle and Anora Englander, this insightful discussion brings to light the challenges faced by healthcare systems in addressing wounds attributed to xylazine, a substance increasingly found in illicit fentanyl supplies. Dr. Ashish Thakrar from the University of Pennsylvania shares his research published in JAMA Dermatology, focusing on the wound characteristics observed in patients exposed to xylazine.
Through his study, Dr. Thakrar highlights the demographic details of affected individuals, with a significant portion being young, predominantly white, and experiencing unstable housing conditions. The emergence of skin lesions and ulcers among these patients has raised concerns about the adequacy of current healthcare practices in managing such complex cases. Dr. Raagini Jawa from the University of Pittsburgh contributes to the conversation by discussing her findings on drug use practices and wound care experiences in the era of xylazine adulteration.
Her research underscores the importance of listening to patients, who are often the first to notice shifts in drug supply that impact their health. The episode emphasizes the need for healthcare systems to adapt and provide comprehensive care for individuals suffering from addiction-related wounds. A recurring theme throughout the episode is the systemic barriers faced by patients in accessing appropriate addiction treatment and wound care.
Many facilities are unequipped to handle the complex needs of these patients, often leading to inadequate treatment and prolonged suffering. The hosts advocate for reshaping health systems to better address the needs of people who use drugs, ensuring that their pain and withdrawal symptoms are not overlooked. Overall, this episode serves as a call to action for healthcare professionals and policymakers to prioritize the integration of addiction treatment with wound care, fostering partnerships that can drive future improvements in the field.