Naloxone

History and Background

Naloxone was created in the 1960's as an attempt to reduce one of the adverse effects of opioid use: constipation. It gained FDA approval in 1971 and was first used as a response to the heroin epidemic in Italy in the 1990's. Many programs in countries across the world implemented naloxone as harm reduction in the early 2000's.

Other Names Narcan® Kloxxado https://www.kelley-ross.com/polyclinic/naloxone/ Naloxone is an opioid reversal agent. It is an opioid antagonist that attaches to the opioid receptor and reverses/blocks the effect of other opioids in the system. It allows for the return of normal breathing if the person's breathing had become labored or stopped due to the opioid overdose. It has no negative effects if it is given to someone who has no opioids in their system. https://www.cdc.gov/ stopoverdose/nalo xone/index.html

Pharmacologic Effect

naloxone is LIFE SAVING in the event of an overdose.

Laws

• As of July 1st 2017, all 50 states and District of Colombia have enacted naloxone access laws, including immunity for persons who administer the drug.

• These laws also discuss third party prescribing and enabling pharmacists to prescribe naloxone without a patient-specific prescription through a standing order, collaborative practice agreement, or pharmacist prescribing power

• In Indiana, the Senate Enrolled Act 406-2015 "Aaron's Law" allows Indiana residents to get a prescription of naloxone if they know someone they think is at risk of an opioid overdose. Previously only emergency responders could carry naloxone.

Side effects of naloxone are very rare, but people may have allergic reactions to the medication.

People who have a physical dependence on opioids may go into withdrawal within minutes of administering naloxone and experience symptoms such as headaches, sweating, vomiting, tremors, and rapid heart rate.

Toxicology Monitoring

Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose for 30 to 90 minutes. Opioids can remain in the system for longer than that, so it is important to call 911 so the patient can receive the medical attention they need.

Professional Opinion

I believe that the more widely available naloxone becomes, the closer we will get to helping stop the opioid crisis. Naloxone is an extremely safe drug. If someone were to administer naloxone to a person who was not overdosing on an opioid, there would be zero adverse effects. All health care professionals should be discussing naloxone with their patients if they or someone they are close to use opioids. -K

Bedka

references

• Campell N. Naloxone as a technology of solidarity: history of opioid overdose prevention. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2019; 191(34): E945-E946. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.190257

• NIDA. Naloxone DrugFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse website. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone. Accessed October 11, 2022.

• DOL: Overdose Prevention (Aaron's Law). Accessed October 11, 2022https://www.in.gov/dol/overdose-prevention-aaronslaw/#:~:text=Senate%20Enrolled%20Act%20406%2D2015,signed%20into% 20law%20April%202015.

--PDAPS. Naloxone Overdose Prevention Laws. Accessed October 13, 2022.https://pdaps.org/datasets/laws-regulating-administration-ofnaloxone-1501695139