Naloxone nasal spray will soon be available in Canada
Posted July 8, 2016 6:59 pm.
Last Updated July 8, 2016 7:04 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As the public health crisis in BC becomes more difficult to tackle, Health Canada has approved a form of the fentanyl antidote Naloxone.
The drug, which was approved stateside by the FDA in 1971, can be administered by people with no medical training with a nasal spray.
The spray would be almost like an Epi Pen; it can be used one time and the single dose in the spray would slow or stop the opioid from attaching to brain receptors.
“The disposable one-dose unit inserts into the nasal cavity, sprays on spray, and it’s absorbed through the nasal cavity,” explains Duddy. “[Naloxone] inhibits opioids from attaching to the receptors in the brain. If they’re already attached and someone overdoses, they essentially go into respiratory arrest. Naloxone goes in and takes all of the opioids off the receptors.”
Duddy says this could potentially be live saving.
“The availability of Naloxone will lessen the burden if there’s a potential for an overdose. It will at least give them the opportunity to get the help they need and the appropriate emergency help they need.”
First responders with the most need for the disposable single doses will get the drug first, but Duddy says Health Canada will decide if or when the drug will be available to regular Canadians.
