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Given the nationwide opioid abuse epidemic, The Massachusetts Medical Society is encouraging citizens to become familiar with naloxone, a drug that can be administered without medical training, to attempt to save the life of someone who overdoses.
“Bluntly stated, overdose is no longer a rare occurrence,” the Society says in a prepared statement. “If you or someone in your life suffers from substance use disorder or has been prescribed opioids, it is a sound idea to consider having naloxone rescue kits in your home and on your person”
The medical society, Daniel Carr, MD, DPH, who is a professor of public health and community medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and director of Tufts’ graduate program in pain research, education, and policy and Karen Horbowicz, PharmD, RPh, BCPS, past president of the Massachusetts Pharmacists Association, answer the following questions about naloxone.
What is it?
Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is a drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Typically, the drugs come in a box, consisting of two medication-filled syringes and instructions on how to administer the drug.
How will I know if someone is overdosing and needs naloxone?
An overdose victim may lose consciousness or be unable to respond to stimulus. Victims may be awake, but unable to talk. Signs of an overdose also include: breathing that has stopped or that is very slow and shallow, a slow or non-existent pulse, a noticeable change in skin color (purple/blue or gray), choking or sounds that mimic gurgling, limp body and vomiting.
How can I get naloxone?
Naloxone can be prescribed by a physician. In fact, some prescribers include naloxone when a patient is given pain medication, particularly for high-dose medications. You may also consult your physician about obtaining a naloxone prescription.
All Massachusetts retail pharmacies licensed by the Board of Pharmacy must obtain a standing order and maintain a continuous, sufficient supply of naloxone rescue kits, meaning, essentially, the drug is available at most pharmacies in the state, even without a prescription.
To get a naloxone rescue kit at a pharmacy, a patient or other individual needs only an insurance card. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Mass Health covers the cost of naloxone for members, and most insurers in the state provide strong coverage of the drug and affordable co-pays.
For those not engaged in traditional health care, the state has 21 locations that can provide safety-net access to naloxone, thanks to the Department of Public Health’s Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) pilot program. A listing of those location can be found at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/information-for-community-members-about-how-to-get-naloxone
I have no formal medical training is that a problem?
No medical training is needed to administer naloxone. In fact, administering the drug is quite simple. If your physician prescribes naloxone, you should ask for details. You also can and should consult your pharmacist when you pick up the drug. Additionally, the drugs are packaged with detailed instructions.
What else should I know?
Using the drug cannot cause harm to a person, so, if in the event another medical episode was mistaken for an overdose and naloxone was deployed, no additional harm would be caused. Finally, call 911 and very clearly state that you believe the victim has overdosed.
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