Yet another useful med becomes Over The Counter.
Jun 18, 2023 15:31:16 GMT -6
feralferret likes this
Post by papaof2 on Jun 18, 2023 15:31:16 GMT -6
Naloxone (generic for Narcan, the first commercial opoid* overdose medication) received FTC approval for OTC sales on 29 March 2023. Expected date of availability is "late summer" for the Narcan 4mg nasal spray. Cost could be anywhere from $35 to $65 but some insurance covers it.
However, that OTC approval also means it's available at the pharmacy counter without a prescription in all 50 states.
More info here: www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-over-counter-naloxone-nasal-spray
here: www.goodrx.com/naloxone/get-fda-approved-narcan-over-the-counter
and here: www.npr.org/2023/02/18/1157556969/narcan-fda-over-the-counter
If anyone in your family or friends is on an opoid* medication (short or long term) it might be a good thing to have available. Having naloxone at hand does NOT mean you won't need to call 911 but it provides a short interruption of the body's intake of opoid medication (blocks the opoid receptors for 30 to 90 minutes so the overdose is paused) - think: instant withdrawal symptoms and you may need professional intervention. If you have an ill or older family member who might not always remember when they took the last dose of a prescribed pain med, this is protection against an accidental overdose. In the case of the opoid patches (Butrans as an example), getting overheated (exercise, heat exposure including hot tub or very warm bath, electric blanket or heating pad) can increase the rate of medication absorption from the patch and cause an accidental overdose without the patient being aware of it - yet another reason you may need backup power in the summer.
Why am I researching this? Among other options I discussed at Friday's appointment with the back pain doctor was changing from "Every X hours" pain meds to a patch (think: waking up without pain ;-) As usual, I'm doing my due diligence before exposing this 70+ year-old body to yet another new chemical cocktail.
*Opioids are sometimes called a narcotic. Examples of opioids are buprenorphine, codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone (Oxycontin), heroin, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), hydromorphone, meperidine, morphine, methadone, oxymorphone, and tramadol.
From: www.drugs.com/naloxone.html
However, that OTC approval also means it's available at the pharmacy counter without a prescription in all 50 states.
More info here: www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-over-counter-naloxone-nasal-spray
here: www.goodrx.com/naloxone/get-fda-approved-narcan-over-the-counter
and here: www.npr.org/2023/02/18/1157556969/narcan-fda-over-the-counter
If anyone in your family or friends is on an opoid* medication (short or long term) it might be a good thing to have available. Having naloxone at hand does NOT mean you won't need to call 911 but it provides a short interruption of the body's intake of opoid medication (blocks the opoid receptors for 30 to 90 minutes so the overdose is paused) - think: instant withdrawal symptoms and you may need professional intervention. If you have an ill or older family member who might not always remember when they took the last dose of a prescribed pain med, this is protection against an accidental overdose. In the case of the opoid patches (Butrans as an example), getting overheated (exercise, heat exposure including hot tub or very warm bath, electric blanket or heating pad) can increase the rate of medication absorption from the patch and cause an accidental overdose without the patient being aware of it - yet another reason you may need backup power in the summer.
Why am I researching this? Among other options I discussed at Friday's appointment with the back pain doctor was changing from "Every X hours" pain meds to a patch (think: waking up without pain ;-) As usual, I'm doing my due diligence before exposing this 70+ year-old body to yet another new chemical cocktail.
*Opioids are sometimes called a narcotic. Examples of opioids are buprenorphine, codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone (Oxycontin), heroin, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), hydromorphone, meperidine, morphine, methadone, oxymorphone, and tramadol.
From: www.drugs.com/naloxone.html