Narcan reverses fentanyl overdoses in two MINUTES and is touted as antidote to America’s epidemic

A nasal spray that reverses a fentanyl overdose in minutes has been touted as a possible antidote to America’s deadly epidemic.

Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, works by preventing the synthetic opioid from attaching to receptors in the brain.

It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month for over-the-counter use, paving the way for sale in big box stores and vending machines.

Bars and nightclubs are also being encouraged to stock up on it to curb the rising number of accidental overdoses, which kill more than 75,000 Americans each year.

What is it?

Narcan is a nasal spray that has been shown to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. It works by blocking the path from the opioid to the brain and attaching to the opioid receptors, also known as the mu, delta, and kappa receptors.

When Narcan is inhaled, the drug is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the nose, allowing it to enter the bloodstream quickly.

It has been shown to prevent fatal overdoses of fentanyl, as well as drugs such as oxycodone and heroin.

Narcan comes in a single dose, so if someone needs multiple doses, a new container should be used. Usually a single dose is sufficient.

Rescue kits each contain a zip lock bag, two doses of Narcan, directions for proper use. Some kits also include latex gloves, nasal sprays, face shields, and substance abuse treatment resources.

How is it administered?

Narcan is administered through a nasal spray.

Lay the person on their back to receive the dose.

Remove the nasal spray from the packaging by pulling the tab with the circle on it.

Hold the nasal spray with your thumb on the bottom of the red plunger and your index and middle fingers on either side of the mouthpiece.

The person’s head should be tilted back with neck support before inserting the tip of the mouthpiece into one nostril.

Your fingers on either side of the mouthpiece should be against the bottom of the person’s nose.

Firmly press the red plunger to deliver the dose, then remove it from the nostril. It takes two to three minutes for the dose to work. If there is no change after three to five minutes, administer a second dose.

Narcan only lasts between 30 and 90 minutes, so it’s possible another overdose could occur. Remain with the person and wait out the risk period so that another dose can be administered accordingly.

If the person goes into cardiac arrest, their chances of survival decrease the longer the arrest lasts.

Always seek medical attention after administering the dose.

Administering Narcan requires no medical training and can be done simply by inserting the tip of the mouthpiece into one nostril

How do you recognize a fentanyl overdose?

A person takes an overdose when he is unconscious and cannot be awakened. If they are conscious, they may fall asleep involuntarily or lose consciousness repeatedly. Their bodies may feel limp with cold, clammy, or discolored skin.

Their pupils may be small and constricted, known as “constricted pupils.”

The person will most likely have slow, weak breathing. In some cases, they don’t breathe at all.

How much is it?

The price varies depending on your insurance plan and location.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior approval before the insurance determines how much of the cost to cover.

Emergent Solutions, the manufacturer of Narcan, has not specified an exact price for the drug, but estimates range from $22 to $141, depending on location and insurance. It can be sold in packs of one or two.

Some states offer Narcan for free upon completion of certain training programs or other requirements.

For example, Ohio has a program called Harm Reduction Ohio, which allows Ohio residents to order Narcan online and receive it in the mail. In Iowa, residents who get an online video consultation with a pharmacist can receive Narcan for free.

Coupons and Narcan payment utilities are available depending on insurance and location.

Where can I buy it?

The FDA approved Narcan for over-the-counter use in March, which will make it available over the counter in retailers, vending machines, grocery stores, and pharmacies. However, OTC sales are not expected to be available until late summer.

In the meantime, Narcan is available from a pharmacy in all 50 states.

Some locations have also set up Narcan vending machines, which can be accessed at any time of the day.

Narcan kits can also be given for free at certain locations or by certain organizations.

For example, New York City launched the NARCAN BEHIND EVERY BAR campaign, which provides free training to venues, staff and security on Narcan use and opioid overdose. Eligible parties may also order Narcan kits by mail for storage at their locations.

Damage control centers around the country may also have Narcan kits on hand.

Who makes it?

Narcan is manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions, a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing vaccines and antibody therapies for infectious disease and opioid purposes.

Why is Narcan being pushed so hard?

The Biden administration today launched a media marketing campaign to promote Narcan.

The aim of the campaign is to reach young people through social media posts and advertisements in locations such as college campuses, restaurants and bars.

It will use online influencers such as college athletes and lifestyle content creators to urge people to keep the nasal spray handy in case they or a friend overdoses.

Fentanyl, streaming into the US from Mexico and China, has become the leading cause of death for those aged 18 to 49, surpassing gun and car accidents.

The NIH estimated 182 percent fentanyl-related deaths among youth between 2019 and 2021.

It’s cheap, highly addictive, relatively easy to smuggle into the US, and cost-effective for dealers to mix it into their stock, which saves them money and can prolong or boost the high users experience.

Narcan has an extremely high success rate. A Brigham and Women’s Hospital study found that 94 percent of people who received naloxone survived their overdose.

In a Harm Reduction Journal study, more than 90 percent of participants feared that a single box of Narcan would not be enough for a successful reversal. However, 95 percent of overdose cases were prevented.

Biden’s drug czar Dr. Rahul Gupta, who launched the public health campaign today, said: ‘We know that the majority of adolescent overdose deaths involved one or more bystanders, which is why today’s announcement is so crucial – we meet young people where they should be prevent drug poisoning caused by illegal fentanyl and make sure they know how to save a life with Naloxone.

This campaign builds on President Biden’s government-wide approach to defeating the overdose epidemic by working to bring naloxone into all communities and dismantle drug trafficking operations that produce deadly substances like fentanyl.

“Our message is simple: naloxone is a drug that can reverse opioid overdose, it’s easy to use, and it’s available without a prescription in all 50 states.

“Even if young people or their friends are not on drugs, carrying Naloxone can help them save a life in the event of an overdose.”