FORT LEE, Va. (May 18, 2017) -- According to the U.S. Army Medical Command, more than 14,000 people died in 2014 from opioid overdose deaths in the United States.
Respiratory depression is the primary cause of most fatalities related to opioid overdose. Patients at high risk are those who use opioids for long-term management of chronic pain.
Many overdoses can potentially occur in patients who are taking opioid with either antidepressants or benzodiazepines. Opioid overdose also can occur unintentionally if the patient has been prescribed an inappropriate dose, if the patient misunderstands directions for use, or if the patient takes food or medication that could potentially interact with the drugs.
With opioid-related deaths continuing to rise, the Kenner Army Health Clinic pharmacy is doing its part to increase awareness by educating patients on opioid overdose prevention and treatment.
The facility is focusing on minimizing overuse of opioids by encouraging appropriate use of opioids, actively monitoring adequate prescribing and distributing naloxone.
Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, is an effective reversal agent when administered upon recognition of an overdose.
Timely administration of naloxone during overdose can reduce morbidity and mortality. Naloxone is safe when used in low dose and does not have any known psychoactive effects or potential for abuse.
It is important for patients and family members to be educated on how to recognize early symptoms of overdose and how to administer naloxone for emergency.
The following are steps to recognize opioid overdose symptoms and recommended responses.
• If a victim is not breathing or is struggling to breathe, call out the victim's name and rub knuckles of a closed fist over sternum.
• Look for signs of overdose such as slow or absent breathing; gasping for breath or a snoring sound, pinpoint pupils and blue/gray lips and nails.
• Call 911 for help. A quicker response improves survival. Administer naloxone, apply rescue breath/chest compression, provide rescue position, placing patient on their side with their top leg and arm crossed over their body, and stay with patient until help arrives.
The following are tips to stop opioid abuse before it turns into an overdose:
• Only take prescription opioid prescribed to you and as directed.
• For an opioid problem, talk to your a care provider or pharmacist for appropriate treatment.
• It is important that your health care providers and pharmacists know of all medications you are on for proper treatment
• Do not mix opioid with other drugs or alcohol
• Be cautious if you miss or change doses, feel ill or start new medications
• Store medications in a safe and secure place; dispose of unused medication
• Abstinence -- not taking opioids for a period -- can reduce tolerance and increase overdose risk
• Teach friends and family how to respond to an overdose and the role of naloxone in an overdose
To learn more about opioid abuse, addiction and overdoses, ask to speak with a representative of the KAHC pharmacy for more information about screening and prescribing procedures and administration of naloxone.
Social Sharing