The opioid epidemic has spread far and wide throughout the United States, but Pennsylvania, which was one of the earliest areas to see the problem arise, is still one of the most affected states in the country. With the introduction of xylazine into the local fentanyl supply, it’s become clear that harm reduction measures in places like Philadelphia and rural Pennsylvania are needed now more than ever.
One of the best resources available throughout Pennsylvania is Narcan. This guide explores the importance of this medication as well as how to get Narcan anywhere in the state.
What you need to know about naloxone as a harm reduction tool
What is naloxone and how is it administered?
First synthesized in the early 1960s and approved for medical use by the FDA in 1971, naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning that it can be used to reduce and reverse the effects of opioids. It works by binding with opioid receptors in the brain with such a strong affinity that it can effectively clog opioid receptors and force opioids out, stopping them from producing major effects in the body.
Today, naloxone is perhaps best known by the brand name Narcan, which is administered as a nasal spray. Naloxone can also be delivered intravenously or injected directly into a muscle. In its auto-injector form, naloxone is sold as Evzio.
Delivered via any of these methods, naloxone begins to work within minutes and can be used to reverse an opioid overdose by restoring breathing and normalizing nervous system activity. These effects can last anywhere between 30 minutes to a couple of hours.
When using Narcan in a nasal form, application is typically quick and straightforward:
- Step 1: Call 911 immediately.
- Step 2: Remove the spray from its packaging by peeling back the sheet on the rear.
- Step 3: Hold the spray with the applicator between your first two fingers and your thumb on the plunger on the bottom
- Step 4: Tilt the patient’s head back while providing support.
- Step 5: Insert the tip of the applicator into one of the patient’s nostrils until your fingers are touching the tip of their nose.
- Step 6: Press the plunger fully. This will deliver the full dose immediately.
Do not depress the plunger before it’s in place, and make sure to turn the patient onto their side once the dose has been administered. If they don’t gain consciousness within a couple minutes — and help is on the way — a second dose can be administered.
However, since Narcan doesn’t reverse the effects of non-opioid medications, like xylazine, it’s crucial to administer CPR if the patient doesn’t regain consciousness after a Narcan application.
Precautions for using Naloxone
Naloxone does not have any major interactions with other drugs, and it does not produce any type of high or dangerous side effects at high doses, making it safe to administer multiple times without negative effects. It’s important to note that Narcan only works to reverse an overdose caused by opioids. Overdoses caused by other drugs, such as benzodiazepines or ketamine, will not be affected by naloxone, no matter how much is used.
Be aware, however, that naloxone may quickly send a patient into withdrawal as the opioids are forced out of their system. Always seek medical attention for the patient after taking these harm reduction measures.
In most of the country, naloxone is available as an over-the-counter medication, and there are even a number of local and nationwide groups dedicated to providing naloxone for free.
How is Naloxone handled/stored safely?
Luckily, naloxone is not just easy to use, but also stable, long-lasting, and easy to store and handle. All Narcan nasal sprays should be stored in their original packaging in temperatures between 40 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
As of January 2024, Narcan now has a longer shelf-life. Whereas Narcan manufactured before the FDA’s announcement is approved for a three-year shelf-life, all Narcan manufactured after January 17th, 2024, expires four years after its date of manufacture.
Narcan can easily be carried in a purse or backpack, and it can also be kept in a car, medicine cabinet, or pantry. Regardless of whether you know someone who is taking opioids for pain management or not, it’s still advised to consider carrying Narcan, as it can help keep someone in stable condition until they can receive thorough medical attention. Even those who live in cities and towns with high rates of opioid use, such as many communities in Pennsylvania, should carry Narcan on their person at all times to potentially save a life.
If you have an emergency supply of Narcan, remember to replace it immediately upon expiration or if it becomes exposed to extreme temperatures. Narcan in this condition may lose potency and could fail to function as intended. Pay extra attention to this if you keep Narcan in your car, as temperatures inside a car parked outdoors can quickly reach over 100 degrees during summer.
Community education can help prevent overdoses
How does access to this harm reduction resource benefit communities?
The opioid epidemic has cost the United States hundreds of thousands of lives over the past two decades, and discussing opioid use and addiction remains highly stigmatized to this day. In places where opioid use is especially common, like Pennsylvania, Narcan education can not only save lives directly, but it can help spread good information about the crisis and destigmatize important discussions surrounding opioid use. A community that is well trained in acquiring, distributing, and using naloxone as a harm reduction measure is one that can effectively protect community members at large and start the crucial work of addressing the opioid crisis at its roots without sacrificing human life along the way.
Opioid addiction is also disproportionately common among those experiencing houselessness, a community that has less access to critical resources on overdose prevention. By educating yourself and others on harm reduction resources in Pennsylvania, you are also easing the burden on your unhoused neighbors.
What does training entail?
Narcan training in Pennsylvania is usually a straightforward and accessible process. In general, you will learn important information and statistics about naloxone, much like those presented here. These courses will also cover:
- How to recognize the signs of opioid overdose
- How to administer naloxone nasal spray to an individual experiencing overdose
- How harm reduction measures can benefit communities and save lives
- The actions you can take in your community to help impacted individuals
There is a wealth of information about the topic available online, as well as online training courses. The CDC has a useful naloxone toolkit, and organizations like the Red Cross offer Narcan training. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program (POPP) offers naloxone training for Pennsylvania first responders.
Resources for Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, and the Kensington neighborhood in particular, is one of the country’s opioid hot spots. To help the disproportionate number of people affected there, many groups offer services and resources in the area. People in Philadelphia can get free Narcan from Prevention Point’s Overdose Prevention Team, located at 2913 Kensington Avenue. The City of Philadelphia also has a naloxone fact sheet that outlines numerous ways to get Narcan for yourself, your family, your community, or your organization.
Free Narcan throughout Pennsylvania
Even if you don’t live in a major metropolitan area like Philadelphia, it’s still possible to get free Narcan in PA. NEXT Distro is a nationwide organization dedicated to distributing harm reduction materials to those in need, and they can mail naloxone to interested parties throughout the state. There may also be local initiatives in your area. For example, Montgomery County, PA, has an online request form for those who need Narcan. If you live in Pittsburgh, Prevention Point Pittsburgh may be able to help you or a loved one get the resources you need.
Because opioid misuse even affects children, Pennsylvania schools now have Narcan on hand, too.
HIV and Hepatitis C testing in Pennsylvania
Many people who use opioids illicitly do so through injection, and the reuse of needles out of convenience and necessity makes it easier to transmit bloodborne illnesses between individuals. Chiefs among the illnesses of concern are HIV and Hepatitis C. HIV testing is available for free for residents of Pennsylvania through getmyhivtest.com. Hepatitis C testing is available through several resources in major cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
How Ophelia’s can help with harm reduction
As a provider of telemedicine, Ophelia can help reach patients with opioid use disorder no matter where they live. In-person opioid treatment isn’t practical for everyone, or even accessible, but Ophelia can offer services to those who live too far from in-patient providers, those with limited mobility, and more. This lowers the barrier to access for critical care and makes seeking treatment for opioid treatment easier than ever.
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