How Naloxone is Saving Lives from Opioid Overdoses

Author : Vedant B | Published On : 02 May 2024

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It works by binding to opioid receptors and displacing opioids like heroin, morphine or opioid pain medications. This essentially reverses the life-threatening effects of the opioid overdose. Some key facts about narcan include:

Narcan has no potential for abuse as it has no effect on people who are not opioid dependent. It does not produce any feeling of euphoria or pain relief.
It can very quickly and effectively reverse an overdose, even if the person has stopped breathing or their heart has stopped. Overdoses can cause death by suppressing breathing, and Naloxone stimulates breathing to resume.
The effects of narcan only last for 30 to 90 minutes, so repeated doses or medical assistance may be needed until the opioid has cleared from the person's system.
It is available as both an injection (intramuscular or intravenous) and as a nasal spray. The nasal spray makes narcan more accessible and easier for a layperson to administer in an emergency situation before medical help arrives.

The Opioid Crisis and Need for Narcan
The United States is currently experiencing the deadliest drug overdose crisis in its history, largely driven by opioids both legal and illegal. Opioid overdoses killed an estimated 49,000 people in 2017 alone, more than any previous year on record. In recent years almost 400,000 people have died from an opioid overdose.

While strategies are underway to curb overprescribing and the flow of illicit opioids like heroin, the reality is many are still losing their lives to accidental overdoses each day. Experts agree that increasing access to narcan is one of the most critical steps that can immediately help reduce overdose deaths. Having narcan widely available means many more lives could potentially be saved while broader solutions are implemented.

First Responders Carry Naloxone
Most first responders like police, firefighters and emergency medical services now carry and are trained to administer narcan. Equipping them with the life-saving drug means overdoses witnessed by emergency personnel have a much higher chance of survival. Response times can also be improved compared to solely waiting for an ambulance.

Statistics show that narcan administration by first responders has successfully reversed tens of thousands of overdoses. For example, in Massachusetts EMS reported reversing over 2,000 overdoses in 2016 after administering narcan. Given the drug's safety profile and ability to counteract deadly overdose effects, having EMS and law enforcement carry it has been one of the highest impact community programs.

Expanding Access to the Public
However, overdoses can and do happen outside of situations where first responders are present. To truly maximize narcan potential for saving lives, increasing general public access has become a priority. Some strategies adopted include:

Prescribing narcan to individuals at high risk for overdose, such as those with opioid dependence or a history of overdose. They or their family/friends can be prepared should an emergency occur.
Standing orders allowing pharmacists to dispense narcan without an individual prescription. Prices have also gone down from the introduction of generic versions.
Distribution programs that offer free narcan kits at drug treatment clinics, syringe service programs, homeless shelters and other community locations. Often these programs include overdose education.
Novel distribution tactics such as naloxone vending machines and programs partnering with police to directly hand out narcan kits on the street.
Good Samaritan laws that protect those seeking emergency help during an overdose from legal prosecution related to drug possession. This encourages calling 911 in emergencies.
Widespread public awareness campaigns educating about overdose signs, how to respond and emphasizing everyone can carry narcan in case they witness an overdose.

The impact has been substantial - surging numbers of narcan prescriptions and distributed kits correspond with real declines in opioid overdose death rates in some areas. Expanding lifesaving access to narcan remains a critical frontline solution. When coupled with broader prevention, treatment and harm reduction efforts, its role in combating the crisis will remain indispensable. With narcan, many more lives that would otherwise be lost to overdose now have a chance at survival and recovery.

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