What Is Narcan and How Does It Stop Opioid Overdoses?

In the year 2017, nearly a million people lost their lives due to opioid overdose. It’s a heartbreaking epidemic which continues to consume the lives of many across the globe. While solving this problem will surely take some time for the medical practitioners, however, there are certain ways which can help reduce the number and even stop people from losing their lives to such overdosing.

A well-known medical surgeon, through his extensive study, revealed that Narcan or naloxone can help save lives.

What is Narcan?

Narcan or naloxone is a class drug which can temporarily help opioid overdose. It is used for countering an overdose of heroin or prescription opioids, including codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and tramadol. It typically helps responders get an additional time of nearly 20 to 90 minutes to get treatment to someone who has overdosed. Naloxone is commonly available in two options; injectable and nasal spray.

Why is Narcan required?

Many pieces of research and several studies reveal that the number of deaths occurring due to opioid overdosing is due to the fact that people are unaware of its ill-effects. A majority of these cases occur outside medical settings (and mostly at homes). Public health, as well as social and economic welfare, is being continually harmed due to a national crisis arising out of the misuse of opioids. The most common sources of such misled intake include prescribed pain relievers and even synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Put simply, only Narcan possesses the medical capability to counter such adverse effects of opioid overdose. It is gaining popularity among consumers owing to its ease of use and portability. It is a much more convenient and a recommended option over other known naloxone injections.

As an immediate first-aid for overdose patients, carrying Narcan is the sole safe option available that this website recommends. In a layman’s language, Narcan helps in blocking the process of respiratory depression which can result from the spread of opioid to the human brain. If taken in excess quantities, opioid can also result in slowing down your breathing, which can eventually cause the lungs to collapse, adjoining organs to fail and ultimately cause the death of the person. Narcan, when sprayed into the nose or injected via an injection into the blood of the patient, can help restore their breathing process to a great extent and buy time for medical practitioners to treat the patient.

Is Narcan a complete remedy?

The answer is No! Remember, Narcan is just a temporary solution for opioid overdose. Its impact lasts depending upon the dosage or strength of opioids intake. For instance, in the case of intake of synthetic opioids, the effect of Narcan lasts only for a short duration of time.

What this website actually proclaims, is the most urgent, much-needed attention towards the acute situation arising due to opioid overdose and the simultaneous need for promoting Narcan as a crucial life-saving solution. Questions? Shoot them in the comment box below!

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