Before we get into Narcan, let’s talk about what happened.
Before we find out what exactly Narcan is, let’s back up for a second. When Lovato was taken to a Los Angeles hospital just before noon July 24, 2018, US Weekly reported Demi’s friends gave her Narcan before the paramedics arrived. That quick thinking potentially saved her life.
“One of her friends had Narcan on hand in case something like this happened,” a source told Us Weekly. “Her friends knew this was coming because she’s been using so much again.”
Originally, it was thought that the singer had overdosed on heroin. That might be the case. Sources close to Lovato deny the claim. It’s to be noted that Narcan does reverse the effect of the deadly drug.
Narcan – What is it?
Before we find out what exactly Narcan is, let’s back up for a second. When Lovato reportedly was taken to the a Los Angeles hosptial just before noon July 24th, US Weekly reported Demi’s friends gave her Narcan before the paramedics arrived. That quick thinking potentially saved her life.
“One of her friends had Narcan on hand in case something like this happened,” a source told Us Weekly. “Her friends knew this was coming because she’s been using so much again.”
Originally, it was thought that the singer had overdosed on heroin. That might be the case. Sources close to Lovato deny the claim. It’s to be noted that Narcan does reverse the effect of the deadly drug.
Narcan (aka naloxone HCI) is a nasal spray. It is used in emergency rooms to treat cases of opioid overdose or suspected opioid overdose. This according to the drug’s website. It’s an FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone. The medication is used to counter the effects of opioid overdose. This according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Naloxone – which can be given through injection – is an opioid receptor antagonist, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
When someone takes opioids, they bind to and activate opioid receptors in the brain. Blocking pain, slowly breathing and having an overall calming effect. This is when the overdose happens.
It’s easiest to deliver Narcan
Many emergency responders claim that Narcan is easiest to use in a life-or-death-every-second-counts situation. Since it’s a nasal spray, it’s delivered on the spot. It eliminates the risk of contaminated needles, according to a 2015 news release announcing Narcan’s FDA approval.
Narcan basically works like any other nasal spray: You place the tip of the nozzle in a nostril and press to release the medicine. Narcan is definitely not meant to replace emergency medical attention—even after a patient wakes up from Narcan, they still need to get to an ER. ASAP.
Narcan saved this blogger’s life
“I have been mailing naloxone to individuals I have met through social media for over five years. This tiny program has saved 329 lives.” wrote blogger Tracey Helton Mitchell for Huffpost this week. “Imagine how much more could be done to stem the tide of overdose deaths if everyone who needed it had access.”
“I am grateful to be alive today.” She directly credits Narcan for being her survival. She “believe we are all worth saving, and I am a living example of that. My hope is that this public viewing of a private matter will humanize people who use drugs and expand understanding of the importance of Narcan.” Read her full article here.
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