As the opioid epidemic has become more prominent over the past few years, the word Narcan has also been thrown around a lot more. Chances are you have probably heard Narcan mentioned somewhere but you might not know what exactly it is and what it is used for. This blog will go into what Narcan is and how it is used in West Palm Beach rehab.
What Is Narcan?
Narcan is the brand name of the generic naloxone, which is an opioid antidote. Opioids include heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone, and Vicodin. Narcan can be used when someone is overdosing on an opioid to reverse the overdose symptoms and potentially save their life.
How Does It Work?
If a person is showing signs of an overdose, Narcan can reverse those symptoms and the opioids will be knocked out of the opiate receptors in the brain. After a person receives Narcan, their breathing should begin to return to normal and it should be easier to wake them.
Why Am I Just Now Hearing About This?
While Narcan isn’t necessarily new, it is new to the general public. It’s been used in emergency rooms and by first responders for a number of years. With the rising number of opioid overdose though it has become more common on the street. In many states, police officers and paramedics readily carry Narcan or a form of naloxone.
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