Naloxone for Overdose

Every day, more than 130 people die from an opioid overdose in the United States. That number would be much higher if it weren’t for emergency personnel administering medicine to combat an overdose. Naloxone for overdose has worked on many patients who were overdosing, but it’s not enough to combat the opioid crisis that is currently going on in this country. Let’s take a closer look at naloxone as well as the need for treatment to overcome opioid abuse.

What is Naloxone for Overdose?

Naloxone is a medicine that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. By binding to opioid receptors, naloxone can reverse and block the effects of other opioids. It works by getting an individual’s breathing back to normal if it’s slowed down or stopped due to an overdose. Some signs of an opioid overdose include:

• Slow or paused breathing
• Blue or purplish lips or fingernails
• Vomiting or gurgling
• Non-responsiveness

Naloxone comes in three FDA-approved forms. There is an injectable form that is offered by many companies. To use this form, the person administering it must be trained.

There is also an auto-injectable sold under the drug name, Evzio that is a prefilled and can be injected into the outer thigh. Once the injection is activated, it provides verbal instructions on how to administer the medicine. It is pre-filled and can be used by families or emergency personnel to quickly help someone who is overdosing.

Naloxone also comes in a prepackaged nasal spray by the name of Narcan. This is prefilled and sprayed into the person’s nostrils when they’re lying down. While this can be given by emergency personnel, it is also packaged for home use during an emergency. No matter what form of naloxone is given, people who receive it should be observed constantly for at least 2 hours afterward by medical personnel to make sure there are no other changes in breathing.

While some states require a doctor’s prescription to get naloxone, others allow pharmacies to distribute it in an outpatient setting without a prescription. It’s best to check the rules of the state where you live to see where you fall.

Are There Side Effects Associated with Naloxone?

Naloxone is known to be very effective in treating opioid overdoses.  Some patients may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Changes in Blood Pressure
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tremors

While these side effects may be uncomfortable, they are nothing compared to the dangers that come along with opioid abuse and opioid overdose.

Opioid Addiction Treatment in Arizona

The Arizona Department of Health Services estimates that between June 2017 and November 2019, there were nearly 30,000 suspected opioid overdoses with just over 19,000 naloxone doses given.

Just because someone survived an overdose with naloxone does not mean they shouldn’t still seek treatment for their addiction. Patients should not become dependent on naloxone to treat their opioid overdoses. Rather, they should find treatment to battle their addiction at its core.

At Soul Surgery Rehabilitation, patients can learn how to become sober in a luxury drug rehabilitation center. Set on sprawling grounds in breathtaking Scottsdale, patients receive holistic treatment for their mind and body as they begin their journey to sobriety.

Patients can choose from either inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. Inpatient rehabilitation removes the patients from all outside triggers to their addiction and lets them recover with services that are available 24/7. Inpatient rehabilitation can be beneficial for patients to get rid of all old habits and learn how to start fresh again.

Outpatient rehabilitation requires the patient to travel to the center for a minimum of 20 hours of therapy weekly. Therapy sessions are offered to talk about addiction and what leads patients to abuse opioids. They can also receive massage therapy, craniosacral therapy, somatic experiencing, EMDR, and biofeedback therapy.

Patients can decide which type of rehabilitation would be most beneficial as they start their path to sobriety. At Soul Surgery Rehabilitation, patients are given weekly assessments and are also asked for their input to determine treatment outcomes. If you’re ready to take the first step in battling your opioid addiction, call Soul Surgery Rehab today or send us a message online.