Naloxone injection can save lives in case of opioid poisoning!

Oh, have you ever heard or seen someone who has taken a drug and is struggling to breathe, completely unconscious, and unable to open their eyes? It is truly a terrifying and unimaginable situation. But did you know that in exactly such a situation, that is , when an opioid or painkiller overdose occurs , there is a special injection that can save a life? That is what Naloxone is. Today, we will talk about this drug called Naloxone.

What is Naloxone? Simply put...

Naloxone is a medicine that is used to treat a dangerous overdose of opioid drugs or strong painkillers (such as morphine, heroin, and tramadol). When you take too much of this opioid, you may experience slow or shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, or loss of consciousness.

Think about it, our brain has a center that controls breathing. When we take too much opioid, the function of this center is impaired. That's when Naloxone comes to the rescue.

Naloxone works by reversing the effects of opioids. That is, it removes the opioids from the places where they are stored in the brain, helping you breathe normally again. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioid blockers .

The most important thing is that after giving this medicine, you should definitely call an emergency treatment service (like 1990 Suwaseriya in Sri Lanka). Because, additional treatment may be needed. Sometimes, while the effect of Naloxone lasts for half an hour or an hour, the effect of the opioid that has been ingested may last longer. Then, you can go back to that dangerous situation.

This medicine may also be used for other purposes. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this. It is sometimes available under brand names such as `EVZIO`, `Narcan`, `ZIMHI`.

What should I tell my medical team before taking this medicine?

If you or someone you know needs to use this medicine, there are a few things you need to tell your doctors about it. They will want to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Heart disease: If you have any heart disease.
• Substance use disorder: If you are addicted to drugs, you need to talk about it.
• An unusual or allergic reaction to Naloxone or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives: If this has happened before.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.

It is very important to inform the medical team about these things, because that is how they will give you the best treatment.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine can be given in a hospital or clinic, or it can be used by the general public in an emergency, such as when someone has overdosed on opioids, as a support until medical help arrives.

This is usually an injection into the outer thigh . If necessary, it can be given over clothing. Even if the person regains consciousness after the first dose, emergency medical help should be sought immediately (1990).

If you are someone who is taking this medication, you should be familiar with the signs of an opioid overdose. These include slow breathing, blue skin, blue nails and lips, and inability to wake up even with the slightest noise.

This should be given according to the instructions on the device label, or according to the electronic voice instructions on some devices. Before using it in an emergency, it is a good idea to practice using the trainer injector that comes with it. That way, you can do it correctly even in a panic.

What about giving this medicine to young children?

Talk to your healthcare team about giving this medicine to children. In some selected cases, it may be recommended to give this medicine even to newborn babies. However, there are special precautions for it. If giving it to a baby under one year old, the injection should be given by pinching the thigh muscle.

What happens if you take too much (overdose)?

Since this is usually given in an emergency, the term "overdose" is less relevant. However, if you think someone has used this medicine unnecessarily, call a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Since this is an emergency medication, "missing a dose" does not apply.

What things can interact with this medicine?

Since this is only used in emergencies, major interactions with other medications are generally not expected.

However, it's best to tell your doctor about all the medications, herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you take. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with your medications.

What should I be careful about when using this medicine?

Keep this medicine readily available and ready to use at all times. This is especially important if someone in your household uses opioid painkillers or has a history of drug addiction.

Keep the phone number of your medical team and the emergency number of the nearest hospital (remember 1990 in Sri Lanka) handy. Sometimes you may need extra doses of this medicine. Each injector contains only one dose. In some emergencies, multiple doses may need to be given.

After giving the medicine, take the person to the nearest hospital, or call 1990 for an ambulance. Tell the medical team at the hospital that you have given the person a naloxone injection. You will receive additional instructions on what to do before, during and after using this medicine in the event of an emergency.

What side effects might I experience when taking this medicine?

Side effects that you should tell your medical team about right away:

• Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Side effects that usually do not require medical advice (but should be reported to the medical team if they persist or are bothersome):

• Agitation, feeling irritable or restless
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Nausea

This list does not include all possible side effects. Talk to your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature, between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius (59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). If you are using this medicine at home, you will receive instructions on how to store it. Keep it in the outer case until you need to use it.

Check the liquid through the viewing window on the injector from time to time. The liquid should be clear. If it is discolored, cloudy, or has any solid particles, throw it away and get a new injector. Remember to check the expiration date on this medicine. Throw away any unused medicine that has expired.

Note: This is only a summary. It may not contain all the details. If you have any questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so now you have a good understanding of what we've been talking about, Naloxone. Here are some important things to remember:

• Naloxone is a life-saving emergency drug in the event of an opioid overdose.
• This temporarily blocks the effects of opioids.
• Even if medicine is given, you should definitely call 1990 and get him hospitalized immediately.
• If you keep this with you, recognize the signs of an overdose, practice administering the medication, check the expiration date, and be sure to store it properly.
• If you have any health conditions, tell your doctors about them.

We hope this never happens to anyone. However, by being aware, you too can save someone's life in an emergency.

` Naloxone, opioid, overdose, opioid blockers, emergency treatment, drug poisoning, injection