Naloxone is an over-the-counter nasal-spray medicine that may save an overdose sufferer by quickly reversing the consequences of fentanyl, heroin and different opioids.

Docs urge all individuals – particularly these with prescription opioids at residence or a substance abuser within the family – to maintain naloxone of their first help kits and even of their luggage. Anybody can expertise an opioid emergency, together with young children who unintentionally ingest the medication.

Naloxone is offered underneath model names akin to Narcan and RiVive. It may be purchased on-line or at main pharmacies for between $30 and $45 a equipment. Every equipment accommodates two nasal spray applicators. Typically, a number of doses have to be administered.

Many well being departments and neighborhood teams give kits away, no questions requested. An online seek for “free naloxone” returned tons of of outcomes.

Dr. Bonnie Milas, an intensive care anesthesiologist on the College of Pennsylvania, makes use of fentanyl together with different medication to deal with vital sufferers. She additionally misplaced two sons to unintended fentanyl overdose. She’s the face of the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ program, which gives an educational video and different steering on how to use naloxone to revive an overdose sufferer. 

Milas usually talks about her expertise with teams of people that have misplaced family members to fentanyl. “I tell them that you should not have a sense of guilt or responsibility,” she says. “They tried. You tried. And finally, the result was out of your management … However you probably did your finest. And I believe it’s best to actually take consolation in figuring out that you simply did what you may.

(By Maurice Tamman. Edited by Michael Williams)