Any drug obtained outside a pharmacy can be a danger.
Fentanyl, a potent opioid, have been found in the following drugs:
Naloxone is an opioid reversal agent. Naloxone kicks out and replaces opioids from the receptor. It can prevent an overdose if given in time. Naloxone is typically give an a nasal spray. It is also available as an injection.
Naloxone should be readily available around anyone who uses drugs. Family friends, and co-co-workers who may be around someone who uses drugs should carry naloxone. Although Naloxone works only for opioid overdoses, since fentanyl has been found in the majority of illicit drug supply, naloxone can safe someone’s life who didn’t know they were exposed to naloxone.
Naloxone can be obtained at most pharmacies. There are harm reduction coalitions that distribute free naloxone. Many areas have a public health standing order for naloxone without a prescription. If you need a prescription for insurance coverage or pharmacy requirement, you can obtain one from Dr. Lev.
If you are not sure whether someone is overdosing or not – GIVE NALOXONE. Time is of the essence. If in doubt, give naloxone.
Signs of overdose include:
ALWAYS CALL 911 after giving naloxone. People can have lung damage and other consequences after an overdose. All overdose patients should be evaluated in an emergency department.
1. Call 911- either before of after injection
2. Take naloxone out of box
2. Do Not Test, or Prime the drug (there is only a single spray in the device)
3. Tilt head, insert nozzle in nose, press plunger
4. Wait 2 minutes
5. Repeat dose if no reaction
Give an adult naloxone dose for children. While the calculated dose for children may be less, excess naloxone is not harmful. Calculating drug doses during a life and death emergency is not recommended.
No. Naloxone will not reverse the effects from other drugs. Naloxone only reverses opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, and prescription painkillers. HOWEVER, since fentanyl has been found in many other drugs, it is important to try in any drug overdose.
No. An allergic reaction is extremely rare.
No. Good Samaritan Laws cover naloxone administration, even for health care workers outside a hospital. The greater liability is watching someone die when you could intervene.
Some have asked if a free prescription is legal. Dr. Lev chooses not to ask the question. Naloxone should be over the counter, and we are waiting on the FDA for this solution. In the meantime people are dying.
The prescription concept stems from Dr. Lev’s experience in medical school when pharmaceutical companies gave out free prescription pads with pre-printed doctor’s name and directions for taking the specific opioid medication. No need for the doctor to cramp his/her fingers. Lev thought, if it worked for opioids – let’s do it for naloxone. There is a lot of potential hand cramping to explain naloxone directions.
Dr. Lev started giving prescriptions to people at conferences where she lectured. People would line to get one. Do you know who most frequented the line? Law enforcement agents. They felt they were at risk by handling drugs and wanted protection.
This led Dr. Lev to apply for a grant in San Diego to give out thousands of pre-printed prescriptions of naloxone to doctors all over the county. The project was a success. They ran out of prescriptions and there were no legal or fraud complaints. This website is recreating the San Diego project for everyone who needs naloxone.
There remains barriers for people to get naloxone. This is one solution. Saving even one person is worth the risk of making this prescription available to everyone.
