Opioid Crisis: The Use of Naloxone in Preventing Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths

Opioid-related overdose deaths make up three-fourths of all overdose deaths in the United States. In order to reduce the number of deaths, efforts must be made to save patients who overdose on opioids. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, is the most effective medication to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is available in a number of different formulations to make administration efficient and timely. Increasing access to naloxone, so it is readily available when needed, is vital to combating the opioid crisis.