New naloxone product could save thousands of lives

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a nasal spray version of naloxone—the life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose by restoring breathing and preventing death. The approval marks another gain in the effort to curb the opioid overdose epidemic. Narcan® nasal spray, the newly approved version of naloxone, requires no additional assembly and delivers a consistent, measured dose when used correctly. The spray is delivered to an overdose victim through one nostril and can be repeated if necessary. Anyone, including those without medical training, can effectively administer Narcan® nasal spray. “The AMA applauds the FDA for approving the nasal spray version of naloxone,” Patrice A. Harris, chair-elect of the AMA, said in a press release. The FDA’s “swift action will widely increase accessibility to this medication that will help prevent more opioid-related overdoses and save more lives.” When a person overdoses on opioids, their breathing may become shallow or even stop. If someone administers naloxone quickly and safely, overdose effects can be countered often in less than two minutes. “While naloxone will not solve the underlying problems of the opioid epidemic,” said Stephen Ostroff, MD, acting commissioner of the FDA, “we are speeding to review new formulations that will ultimately save lives that might otherwise be lost to drug addiction and overdose.” How physicians are combatting the opioid over...
Source: AMA Wire - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Source Type: news