Opioids are compounds found in pain relief medicines because they have sedative and analgesic effects. Some of these compounds are codeine, morphine, methadone, tramadol, heroin, etc. Most of these compounds also have euphoric effects, which is why many use opioids even for non-medical reasons.
The rate of prescription drug abuse has increased over the years – especially since many have this drug in their prescription medication bag – and a general term for it is opioid overdose. This overdose occurs when someone intentionally or accidentally takes too much of a drug containing opioids. While this is usually the most common situation, opioid overdose can also occur when an opioid-containing drug comes in contact with other medication or an underlying health condition.
Opioid overdose can lead to many issues. For one, it can lead to opioid dependence, which is characterized by a strong desire to use opioids all the time without considering the negative consequences involved. This dependence can further lead to physiological issues like increased tolerance of the negative of opioids and withdrawal symptoms due to reduced intake of the medicine.
This can go on for a long time, and that’s just the beginning of the side effects. Opioid overdose affects the part of the brain which controls breathing. When this happens, the victim will begin to experience symptoms like unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, and pinpoint pupils. If nothing is done, the victim will end up dead.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), between 2000 and 2018, the death rate from opioid overdose has increased by 120%. This rate increased more during the COVID-19 pandemic. These statistics show a state of emergency.
The increased fatality rate has made it necessary for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to develop a medicine that will counter the effects of opioids – naloxone. Naloxone reverses the results of an opioid in the system, such as restoring normal breathing in anyone who’s having breathing difficulty.
Naloxone should be prescribed to:
- Anyone who’s been prescribed opioid pain relievers;
- Patients at risk of opioid overdose or who has a history of opioid use disorder (OUD);
- Patients with household members who are at risk of accidentally ingesting opioids.
So, as you purchase opioids, you should also buy naloxone. You might need it for unforeseen situations around you.
While it’s important to have naloxone alongside opioids, getting a medication bag for opioids is also important. The battle against opioid overdose has many negative consequences and a bag with a lock is your first line of defense. It is important that opioids do not reach people who would abuse the drug, intentionally or accidentally.
It’s important that an opioid bag also comes with a lock. Drug addicts would do anything to get their next fix, including stealing your medication bag. This makes it all the more important to get an opioid bag with a lock.
Cardinal Bag Supplies’ prescriptions medication bags with lock are secure and would discourage any drug addict or thief from getting into the bag and stealing opioids.
Also, these bags have been designed to show signs of tampering. This way, the rightful medicine owner will know if someone has had access to the medication bag and act promptly. To show your support of the move to reduce the prevailing opioid crisis in the country, you can customize your opioid bag and include a tag that says that you’re all for opioid overdose prevention.
Medication bag for opioids is more affordable than a medication lock box – and even more effective – so you don’t have to spend so much money to do what’s right.
Conclusion
As the opioid crisis rages on, preventive measures should also increase. This makes it more important to have the necessary items around for you to combat the situation.
Whatever you do, always have naloxone around you. You might need it at some point. Even if you don’t use it on yourself, you might need it to save someone else’s life.