Taking into account the size of the opioid problem in America, the new 2015 guidelines feature the introduction of the use of naloxone (Narcan) for Basic Life Support providers, or the lay pubic trained in its' use. This can be used either intramuscularly (IM) or intranasally (IN) for patients in cardiac or respiratory arrest, when narcotic overdose is suspected. The use of this drug to reverse narcotic overdose should not interfere with basic life saving measure, though (in other worse, it should not be used INSTEAD of performing compression and rescue breathing on someone in need.) Naloxone is a rapid acting reversal agent for opioid narcotics, and will work on any drug in this class, from hydrocodone (Vicodin) to oxycodone (Percocet) to heroin.
There is NO evidence that, once a victim goes into cardiac arrest, naloxone will reverse this arrest and help the patient to obtain a pulse. Good, high quality basic life support and early defibrillation will still be needed in order to accomplish that!
There is NO evidence that, once a victim goes into cardiac arrest, naloxone will reverse this arrest and help the patient to obtain a pulse. Good, high quality basic life support and early defibrillation will still be needed in order to accomplish that!
