This drug is sending people into life-threatening withdrawal

December 28, 2025

A powerful veterinary sedative saturating the fentanyl supply in Philadelphia causes almost instantaneous blackouts and, if not used every few hours, brings on life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

An exterior view of an emergency room entrance to a hospital at night on a rainy day, seen through a car’s window with rain collecting on it.

Hannah Yoon for The New York Times

It has created a new type of drug crisis. →

How did DOGE disrupt so much while saving so little? →

A photo illustration shows a person's arms wrapped around a punching bag against a blue background.

The “masculinity crisis” is real. This forgotten book explains why. →

A family of six -- a father, mother and four children -- standing in a field.

This family was part of the biggest U.S. measles outbreak in a generation. →

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