Naloxone is an over-the-counter nasal spray medication that can save an overdose victim by quickly reversing the effects of fentanyl, heroin, and other opioids.
Doctors urge all people — especially those with prescription opioids at home or drug abusers at home — to keep naloxone in their first aid kit or even in their purse. Anyone can experience an opioid emergency, including young children who accidentally take the drug.
Naloxone is sold under brand names such as Narcan and RiVive. It can be purchased online or from major drugstores for $30 to $45 a set. Each set contains two nasal spray applicators. Sometimes, multiple doses must be given.
Many health departments and community groups are distributing kits with no questions asked. A web search for “free naloxone” returned hundreds of results.
Dr. Bonnie Milas, a critical care anesthesiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, uses fentanyl in combination with other medications to treat critically ill patients. She also lost her two sons to an accidental fentanyl overdose. She's the face of the American Society of Anesthesiologists' program, which offers an educational video and other guidance on how to use naloxone to resuscitate an overdose victim.
Melas often speaks about her experiences with groups of people who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. “I tell them you shouldn't have a feeling of guilt or responsibility,” she says. They tried. I tried. In the end, the outcome was beyond your control…but you did your best. I think you should feel comfortable knowing that you did your best.
(Writing by Maurice Tammann. Editing by Michael Williams)
