We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Fast-Acting Nasal Spray Reverses Opioid Overdose

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Dec 2015
Print article
Image: The Narcan nasal spray device (Photo courtesy of Adapt Pharma).
Image: The Narcan nasal spray device (Photo courtesy of Adapt Pharma).
A nasal spray formulation of naloxone acts as a swift reversal agent for emergency treatment of opioid overdose.

A product of Adapt Pharma (Radnor, PA, USA), The Narcan nasal spray device delivers a 4 mg dose of naloxone hydrochloride in a single 0.1 ml aerosol spray, preferably while the patient is lying on his or her back. It is indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system (CNS) depression. Clinical trials have demonstrated that when used as directed, blood levels of naloxone are similar to those achieved with naloxone injectors.

The ready-to-use, needle-free device requires no assembly or priming prior to use, and can be administered in an emergency by family members, caregivers, or others to reverse the effects of opioid overdose until help arrives. Since an opioid overdose may cause brain damage or death, Narcan should be administered as quickly as possible if a patient is unresponsive and an opioid overdose is suspected, even when in doubt. If the desired response is not obtained after 2 or 3 minutes, an additional dose of Narcan nasal spray should be administered.

“Opioid overdose is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans in communities throughout the country, leaving a trail of devastation for friends and families,” said Seamus Mulligan, Chairman and CEO of Adapt Pharma. “This new device makes naloxone readily available for emergency use by a friend, family member or caregiver, as well as offering an alternative treatment option for first responders and healthcare providers. It gives new hope to those concerned about the potentially fatal effects of opioid overdose.”

“Combating the opioid abuse epidemic is a top priority for the FDA; we cannot stand by while Americans are dying. Use of the nasal spray requires no special training and it is an important new alternative for family members,” said acting FDA Commissioner Stephen Ostroff, MD. “While naloxone will not solve the underlying problems of the opioid epidemic, we are speeding to review new formulations that will ultimately save lives that might otherwise be lost to drug addiction and overdose.”

Naloxone is used to counter the effects of opioid overdose, for example heroin or morphine, and is specifically used to counteract life-threatening depression of the CNS and respiratory system. It has been used for more than 40 years for reversal of respiratory depression due to opioid overdose, but has been primarily used by emergency medical services (EMS) in injection form.

Related Links:

Adapt Pharma


Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
Neonatal Transport Ventilator
Babylite

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: NTT and Olympus have begun the world\'s first joint demonstration experiment of a cloud endoscopy system (Photo courtesy of Olympus)

Cloud Endoscopy System Enables Real-Time Image Processing on the Cloud

Endoscopes, which are flexible tubes inserted into the body's natural openings for internal examination and biopsy collection, are becoming increasingly vital in medical diagnostics. Their minimal invasiveness... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The PATHFAST hs-cTnI-II high-sensitivity troponin assay has been developed for the PATHFAST Biomarker Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Polymedco)

POC Myocardial Infarction Test Delivers Results in 17 Minutes

Chest pain is the second leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits by adults in the United States, generating over 7 million visits annually. In the event of a suspected heart attack, physicians... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.