Is Xylazine legal in Mexico?
- Legal status
- Xylazine (xilacina) is regulated in Mexico as a veterinary medicine restricted to use by veterinarians: it is a registered veterinary sedative/analgesic and is not listed as an estupefaciente or psicotrópico under the Ley General de Salud human controlled-substances tables.
- Consequences if caught
- Diversion of xilacina is addressed as a health-regulation / veterinary-medicines matter; Mexican authorities have issued border-city alerts over its illicit use as an adulterant, but it is not a controlled human drug.
- If prescribed or medical
- Administered exclusively by a veterinarian for sedation/analgesia in cattle, equines, dogs and cats (and not in equines destined for human consumption); xylazine has no human indication.
- Documentation
- Xylazine veterinary products (e.g. Xilazina 20 mg/ml injectable) are marketed for veterinary use; Mexican government advisories describe xilacina as a veterinary drug administered only by veterinarians.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Mexico’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
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