Naloxone: What It Is and Who It Can Save

It is an epidemic that is rising faster than ever. The opiate drug overdose epidemic has taken the lives of many and continues to regularly, affecting the lives of those around us in momentous ways. It is for this reason that law enforcement has decided to add a new tool to their arsenal of equipment when patrolling the streets; in steps naloxone.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of all types of opioid overdoses including heroin and prescription pain pills such as morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone and Vicodin by blocking receptors in the brain and bringing the individual back to life within just 2-5 minutes.

Naloxone has also saved the lives of officers who have come in contact with drugs like fentanyl when patting down suspects, as well as K-9s who are sent into situations to find narcotics. Both humans and dogs can fall victim to overdose by absorption through the skin (and paws of dogs) or if accidentally ingested. Both canine and human can be administered naloxone through a nasal spray and depending on the drug and the amount exposed to, both people and dogs can require multiple doses to reverse the overdose. 

Mountainside Medical Equipment is proud to introduce the Naloxone First Responders Kit, which comes preassembled with all of the supplies that emergency responders would need to safely administer Naloxone. Since emergency responders are usually among the first on the scene, equipping them with Naloxone will enable them to provide lifesaving assistance much quicker than if the patient had to wait until getting to a hospital to receive treatment, which might be too late for it to be effective.

One of our customers, Lieutenant/PIO Russell Blanck of the Centennial Lakes Police Department stated "There is no doubt that equipping our officers with Narcan has resulted in saved lives. Our officers are proud to be equipped with Narcan and to be able to offer this critically needed service to the citizens and guests of our jurisdiction. When you think about it, $66 (the cost we paid per kit) is an infinitesimally small amount to be equipped to save a life."

(Via Centennial Lakes Police Department)

Sending a big thank you out to the responding officers who were the front line handlers of these medical emergencies. Keep up the great work! 

You can see all of the Naloxone options and kits that we carry here.