Health officials: US overdoses are at the lowest level in last 3 years
The FDA approved the first over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray in March 2023.
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Health officials say overdose deaths in the U.S. are the lowest they've been in three years. A new study also shows that more people are now receiving Naloxone which helps reduce drug overdose deaths.
While emergency room doctors and EMTs say the drug epidemic is far from over, notably, overdose deaths involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are down 20% year-over-year.
"Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in seconds if given immediately," said Dr. Ashish Panchal of Wexner Medical Center.
Naloxone binds to the opioid receptors in the brain, blocks the opioid overdose, which thus, helps restore breathing.
Panchal explained that the awareness from the public regarding the reversal medication is rising, as the rate of people administering Naloxone to someone experiencing an opioid overdose prior to EMT arrival increased over 43% between 2020 and 2022, according to a JAMA Network study.
The FDA approved the first over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray in March 2023 which allowed it to be sold in stores and online without a prescription.
