5 Important Things You Must Know About Naloxone

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5 Important Things You Must Know About Naloxone
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Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan among
others, is a medication used to block the effects
of opioid addiction. It is commonly used to
counter decreased breathing in opioid overdose.
Naloxone may also be combined with an opioid, to
decrease the risk of opioid misuse.
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Naloxone is an opioid overdose reversal drug.
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Naloxone is a generic drug that is also known by
the brand-name, Narcan. First responders,
including police officers, paramedics, and ER
doctors, use naloxone frequently to reverse
opioid overdoses. The way that naloxone works is
that it blocks opioid receptors. It is such a
potent blocker that it knocks opioid molecules
off of the receptors, and it keeps them away by
continually blocking.
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Naloxone has been around for a long time.
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Naloxone has been around for a long time. You can
get naloxone without a doctors prescription.
During the past few years, we have heard a lot
about Narcan, naloxone, and harm reduction. The
fact is that naloxone became patented in 1961.
The FDA approved naloxone to treat opioid
overdoses ten years later.
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Naloxone does not last for very long.
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Since you may find yourself, one day, in a
situation where you must administer Narcan to
someone who has just overdosed on an opioid, you
must understand that naloxone wears off quickly.
It starts working in minutes, but the effects may
only last for an hour or less.
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Naloxone has no potential for abuse.
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If you are someone who has experience in
addiction treatment or healthcare, you already
know that naloxone has no potential for abuse.
There is no need to keep the Narcan locked up to
keep it safe in rehab or a sober living home. A
person who is addicted to opioids or any other
drug has no way to get high with naloxone. It
simply isnt possible.
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Naloxone is just one component of harm reduction.
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Harm reduction means to help people stay safe,
healthy, and alive during the time that they
continue using drugs. A naloxone dose given
promptly can save a life. Naloxone is a vital
part of harm reduction, but there is more to it
than just carrying Narcan.
Click here for more information!
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Do all doctors prescribe naloxone?
It is good idea for doctors to document that they
are in favor of their patients having Narcan by
writing the Narcan prescription and having a
conversation about it. Doctors should prescribe
Narcan nasal spray to any patient who takes
opioids, prescribed or abused, and to any patient
who comes in contact with someone who uses
opioids.
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