Naloxone is an over-the-counter nasal spray that can save overdose victims by quickly reversing the effects of fentanyl, heroin and other opioids.
Doctors encourage all people — especially those with prescription opioids at home or drug use in the family — to keep naloxone in first aid kits or even purses. Anyone can experience an opioid emergency, including young children who accidentally take drugs.
Naloxone is sold under brand names such as Narcan and RiVive. It can be purchased online or at large pharmacies for $30 to $45 per kit. Each kit contains two nasal spray applicators. Sometimes multiple doses are required.
Many health departments and community groups give out kits, no questions asked. An Internet search for “free naloxone” produced hundreds of results.
Dr. Bonnie Milas, an intensive care anesthesiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, uses fentanyl in combination with other drugs to treat critically ill patients. He also lost two sons to accidental fentanyl overdoses. He is the face of an American Society of Anesthesiologists program that provides instructional videos and other instructions on how to use naloxone to revive an overdose victim.
Milas often talks about his experiences with groups of people who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. “I tell them you shouldn’t feel guilty or responsible,” she says. “They tried. you tried And in the end, the outcome was out of your control… but you did your best. And I think you should really take comfort in knowing that you did what you could.
(By Maurice Tamman. Editing by Michael Williams)