Overview
There are different kinds of substances abused by individuals today, and opioids are one of them. Once a person starts using this substance, a tolerance is built every day which pushes that individual to increase the dosage.
The increase in dosage happens because the person wants to achieve the same level of euphoria from the first time of using opioids. However, when the increment is too high, that individual can get an overdose which can cause life-threatening side effects.
When a patient undergoes treatment, substance dependence decreases gradually, thereby reducing one’s tolerance from it. This is a good thing at the same time poses a risk for an easy relapse, because of the low tolerance from the abused substance.
For those undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatments, patients must do their best not to ingest any addictive substances for it will lead to a relapse. To prevent relapse from happening, continuous counseling must be done coupled with a healthy environment and support groups.
Naloxone – What Is It
This drug is usually used to medicate people suffering from opioid abuse and addiction. Its main goal is reversing the effects of opioids such as depressed breathing action, lethargy and sudden blackout.
Naloxone has shown several medical benefits for treatment of narcotic addiction and determining if an individual is dependent on any narcotic substances. Furthermore, to ensure the success of your treatment, you must consult your doctor or assigned medical personnel for proper dosage of Naloxone.
What To Consider Before Taking Naloxone
Like any other medication, there are a few safety precautions and considerations one must observe before taking Naloxone. But the safest thing a patient can do is avoid self-medication and always seek medical advice from certified doctors and medical staff.
Not all patients are readily compatible in taking Naloxone, because some experience allergies when ingesting this medication. Some of the common allergic reactions observed from patients include asthma attack, sinusitis, red swollen bumps on the skin, and swelling of lips and throat.
Naloxone must be taken with precaution for those with heart problems as well. One must tell his doctor about it to prevent any complications which can cause heart attack, troubled breathing, and pneumonia. The same thing goes for patients having some pre-existing conditions with their liver and kidneys.
The patient must also disclose to the doctor if he or she is taking other medications as of the present moment. This is a must so that the doctor can already foresee the possible interaction of Naloxone with other prescription or OTC drugs.
Is Naloxone Safe For Pregnant Women and the Unborn
Based on medical findings, there have not been any reports regarding the detrimental effects of this medication for pregnant women and their unborn child. However, for safety purposes, the patient must disclose to the doctor if she is pregnant and what can be done to safely undergo rehab treatment.
Moreover, the common fears of mothers or pregnant women will be the chance that if any residues from Naloxone can be transmitted through breastfeeding.
What Are the Adverse Effects of Naloxone
No matter how effective a medication drug is, it will always be accompanied by mild side effects which are not life-threatening. However, to prepare the patient from these allergic reactions or side effects, that person must consult a doctor to find ways of mitigating it.
Below are some of the typical minor adverse effects from medicating with Naloxone:
- Sinusitis
- Elevated blood pressure
- Agitation
- Nervousness
- Slight stomach cramps or constipation
- Sweating
- Slight fever
- Sleepiness
- Sensitivity to an unpleasant environment (noisy places or direct light exposure)
Medication with Naloxone
When medicating with Naloxone, it must be administered by a doctor or seasoned medical staff. There are two ways of introducing this drug to patients, that is, intravenous or nasal spraying.
Nasal spraying is intuitively understandable, while intravenous can be done on the muscle portion, dermal layer, or through the veins. Only choose a licensed and experienced medical personnel to administer this medication into your system.
Before administering Naloxone to the patient, the medical staff must observe if the patient is experiencing any overdose with opioids. To know that, the following common symptoms of opioid overdose can be seen on the patient.
- Pupils become smaller than normal
- Severe sleepiness or lethargy
- Depressed breathing patterns
- Low blood pressure
Among the common symptoms, the most important to observe will be difficulty of breathing and unconsciousness of the patient. If these symptoms are observed, then giving a Naloxone to patients via injection is a must.
Typically, Naloxone injections are done at the outer thigh of the patient. If symptoms of overdose still reoccur, then giving another injection after two or three minutes must be done. After, one must seek immediate medical assistance for a full treatment application.
Make sure that the auto-injectors used for administering Naloxone are only used once for sanitation purposes. Likewise, Naloxone must be stored in a cool and dry place, away from direct heat to prevent any degradation of its medicinal components.
Conclusion
Despite the effectiveness of Naloxone, one still requires the expertise and attention of a licensed medical practitioner or doctor for its administration and full treatment program.
Indeed, it is never easy for an individual to recover from drug addiction and alcoholism, but it does not mean it is impossible. One needs to undergo inpatient or outpatient rehab treatment to get the best medical attention and services to hasten recovery and sobriety.
Take time to think about it, and see how your loved ones are affected when an individual suffers drug abuse and alcoholism. Any person can make a difference but the first step must come from within and the acceptance of the need for external help to recover.
