Naloxone Training Videos Highlight Pharmacist's Role in Combating Overdose with Opioids

In the midst of the epidemic of opioid overdose, Pharmacy time launched a series of training videos to educate pharmacists on the role of naloxone, an opioid antagonist indicated in the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdoses, in the fight against the crisis.

the first video The series gives an overview of the use and abuse of opioids in the United States. Although opioids may be an important treatment for the treatment and management of pain, opioid use may result in a number of adverse effects, such as constipation, drowsiness, mental disorder, and system depression. central nervous and respiratory.

The United States is the largest consumer of prescription opioids in the world, according to the video. Every day, more than 1,000 patients are treated in emergency departments for improper use of prescription opioids.

In addition, opioids have been implicated in more than 42,000 deaths in the United States in 2016, with prescription opioids accounting for approximately 40% of these deaths. In response to the increasing number of opioid-related overdose deaths, the FDA issued a class label change for all opioids in 2016, demanding that these drugs include a warning about the serious risks of misuse, abuse, addiction,

The video noted, however, that about 75% of opioid overdose deaths occur outside of a medical setting, with most of these occurring in patients. Given that the average response time of emergency medical services is 26 minutes in rural areas and 12 minutes in urban areas, the video emphasized the importance of providing patients with a home inversion agent.

According to the video series, pharmacists, as the most accessible members of the health care team, are ideally placed to promote drug safety and prevent opioid overdoses. In addition to educating patients about the safe use of opioids, pharmacists may also recommend co-listing naloxone to patients at risk.

The World Health Organization has specifically identified several groups of individuals at high risk of opioid overdose, including:

• Patients who use prescription opioids, especially those who take high doses (≥50 equivalents in milligrams of morphine)
• Patients who use opioids in combination with other sedating substances such as benzodiazepines
• Patients with medical conditions such as HIV, liver or lung disease and depression who use opioids
• Patients who inject opioids or who have opioid dependence, especially after reduced tolerance, detoxification, release from custody or discontinuation of treatment
• Household members of individuals in possession of opioids, including prescription opioids

Several health problems have been associated with increased risks of opioid overdose, including:

• Hepatic, pulmonary or renal dysfunction
• Mental health conditions
• History of overdose, poor opioid response or emergency medical care involving opioids • Substance Use Disorder

The video concluded that pharmacists can help save lives by ensuring access to naloxone and by educating patients about its importance. Indeed, between 1996 and June 2014, US organizations that provided naloxone kits to patients and their families recorded more than 26,000 opioid overdose reversals.

For more information on naloxone and the role of the pharmacist in preventing opioid overdose deaths, watch the training videos in our consultation center.