Naloxone can Save lives

According to the CDC, deaths caused by overdoses are almost as high as those caused by motor vehicle accidents, which is the leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults. Over half of prescription overdose deaths in the United States are due to opioid pain killers (Paulozzi, Jones, Mack, Rudd, 2011). Opiate pain relievers include drugs such as morphine, codeine, and methadone. They cause analgesic effects mainly of the central nervous system by blocking pain receptor signal transmission at dorsal root ganglia (Julien, Advokat & Comaty, 2011).

 

 

 

But with the use of a self-administered naloxone injection or inhalant, you can protect your loved one from overdose. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks opioids at the receptor site. It is not addictive and has no potential from abuse. Because it does not cause any action at the receptor level and rather just binds to and blocks opioid receptors from the drug causing overdose, it does not have an effect in people who do not have opioids in their system. However, it does include some side effects tachycardia, arrhythmias, hallucinations, delusions, and difficulty breathing (Wheeler, Burk, McQule & Stancliff, 2012). Despite some side effects, the CDC has estimated that self-administered Naloxone by non-medical personnel has saved over ten thousand lives (Branson). If you or a loved one is taking prescription pain killers, talk to your doctor today about Naloxone.

 

Works Cited

Branson, F. (n.d.). Overdose prevention and opioid safety. Project Lazarus. Retrieved from

                http://www.projectlazarus.org/

Julien, R., Advokat, C., & Comaty, J. (2011). A primer of drug action. (12 ed., pp. 315-335).

                New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

 

Paulozzi, L., Jones, C., Mack, K., Rudd, R. (2011). Vital signs: Overdoses of opiate pain

                relievers--- United States—1999-2008. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,

60(43), 1487-1492. Retrieved from

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6043a4.htm

 

Wheeler, E., Burk, K., McQule, H., & Stancliff, S. (2012). Guide to developing and managing    

                overdose prevention and take-home naloxone project. Harm Reduction Coalition, 58-

                64. Retrieved from http://www.harmreduction.org