International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held annually on August 31
(PRUnderground) August 31st, 2024
International Overdose Awareness Day is held every year to raise awareness of overdose risks, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, end overdoses, and acknowledge the grief felt by those left behind. This year, Intermountain Health experts are encouraging people to check their first-aid kit to ensure they have naloxone among first aid supplies.
For those in Utah, it easier and more convenient than ever for families to have access to life-saving naloxone thanks to Intermountain’s new Naloxone on Demand program.
Naloxone on Demand is a free program that aims to make the life-saving medication readily available, so that everyone has this life-saving resource and help in their home for those who may experience an opioid overdose.
All that’s required is the following:
- Complete the online request form here (only takes a few minutes).
- Consult with a pharmacist over the phone.
- Provide prescription insurance information or payment information. No insurance is required.
- Medication is then shipped to your door.
Why Get Naloxone?
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses the effects of an overdose from prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, and fentanyl, as well as heroin. It works by temporarily reducing the effects of the drug so that patients can go to a medical facility.
Naloxone, or sometimes known as the product Narcan, is an important medication to have on hand if you or a family member uses opioids.
“Intermountain Health has expanded the focus on naloxone and naloxone education to improve patient safety and is working with providers, clinicians, and pharmacists in having naloxone discussions with all patients receiving an opioid prescription,” said Mason Hilton, community pharmacy director at Intermountain Health. “Anyone taking an opioid, for any reason, is at risk of opioid overdose, even those taking opioids exactly as prescribed.”
Having an opioid prescription in the house is also a risk for others, such as children or pets accidentally taking them. Family or friends are also potentially at risk for accidental use or intentional overdose.
“Naloxone is just as important as having a fire extinguisher in the house,” said Kim Compagni, assistant vice president of pain management services for Intermountain Health. “You never want to think this can happen to you, your family or child, but it can. We want everyone to be prepared.”
What are the signs of an opioid overdose?
Many overdoses are unintentional and may still happen even when taking medications as prescribed. A person overdosing may exhibit any or all the signs listed below.
Think of the acronym SMELL:
- Not SPEAKING – can’t arouse them, they don’t respond to painful stimuli.
- Not MOVING– unresponsive.
- EYES pinpoint pupils – pupils do not get bigger when the eyelid is opened.
- LIPS blue/gray, cold or clammy skin – not getting enough oxygen.
- LUNGS respiratory depression – very slow or gurling breathing, and ultimately no breathing.
When to administer naloxone?
If you believe someone is overdosing:
- Call 911
- Perform rescue breathing
- Administer naloxone if available
- Place the person on their side in the event of vomiting
- Administer second dose of naloxone after three minutes if needed
- Don’t leave until help arrives
How to use naloxone?
There are two different administration methods for naloxone – the nasal spray and an intramuscular injection.
Is naloxone covered by insurance?
Naloxone is covered by most insurance plans. You will be responsible for any copay after the insurance is billed. Naloxone is also available without a prescription and insurance is not necessary for this option.
What is the cost to have naloxone sent to my home?
Intermountain does not charge for this service – you just pay the cost of the medication after any insurance coverage. If choosing the over-the-counter option, you will be responsible for the cost of the medication. There is free delivery of the medication to your home via the Intermountain Home Delivery pharmacy. The medication will be delivered to your home within 4-5 business days.
For more information on naloxone go here. To sign up for Intermountain Health’s Naloxone on Demand go here.
About Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information or updates, see https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.
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Original Press Release.
