Fentanyl Remains a Threat—Keep Naloxone on Hand for Opioid Overdose

Here’s some encouraging news: According to an August 2024 article in Scientific American, opioid overdose deaths have declined slightly since their peak during the COVID-19 pandemic.¹ And here’s another hopeful tidbit: The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US DEA) says that an average of just five out of 10 pills evaluated in 2024 contained a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl—a 20% decrease from 2023.2,3 But make no mistake: Fentanyl remains a threat—keep naloxone on hand for opioid overdose.^3-5 Read on to find out more about fentanyl, how it’s infiltrating our communities, and when to use naloxone to save the life of someone experiencing an opioid overdose.^3-5

A tiny amount of fentanyl can be fatal

In spite of the modest reduction in opioid overdose rates in recent years, fentanyl remains a serious threat to our communities.^1,2,6 Technology (social media platforms and apps) can extend the reach of fentanyl into every community in the United States (and across nearly 50 countries worldwide).⁴ Drug traffickers and their associates use technology to advertise and sell their products, collect payment, recruit and train couriers and deliver drugs to customers without ever having to meet face-to-face.⁴ According to the US DEA, “This new age of digital drug dealing has pushed the peddling of drugs off the streets of America and into our pockets and purses.”⁴

Fentanyl remains a threat to our communities

In spite of the modest reduction in opioid overdose rates in recent years, fentanyl remains a serious threat to our communities.^1,2,6 Technology (social media platforms and apps) can extend the reach of fentanyl into every community in the United States (and across nearly 50 countries worldwide).⁴ Drug traffickers and their associates use technology to advertise and sell their products, collect payment, recruit and train couriers and deliver drugs to customers without ever having to meet face-to-face.⁴ According to the US DEA, “This new age of digital drug dealing has pushed the peddling of drugs off the streets of America and into our pockets and purses.”⁴

Keep naloxone on hand for opioid overdose

When given in time, naloxone can save the life of a person who is experiencing an opioid overdose.⁵ It does this by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain and restoring breathing.⁵ Naloxone is available in multiple forms, the simplest of which to use is a nasal spray.⁸ Two well-known naloxone nasal spray brands are Kloxxado^® (naloxone HCl) nasal spray 8 mg and Narcan^® (Naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 4 mg.^9,10 Naloxone is harmless if given to someone who is not experiencing an overdose, it has no potential for abuse and anyone can carry it.⁵ Signs of an opioid overdose may include:^11,12

• Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness (doesn’t respond when shaken or called)
• Very small (pinpoint) pupils in their eyes
• Slow or shallow breathing, or not breathing
• Limpness
• Blue lips, gums or fingertips
• Slow or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• Gurgling or choking noises
• Cold, clammy skin

People who should consider carrying naloxone include those:⁵

• Who are currently taking high doses of prescription opioids for pain or are taking opioids along with alcohol or sedatives
• With a history of overdose or opioid use disorder
• With an active opioid use disorder
• Who use other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamines, which may be contaminated with fentanyl
• Who know, live with, work with or are often around anyone who falls into the categories above

About the United States Drug Enforcement Administration

The mission of the US DEA is to ensure the safety and health of American communities by combating criminal drug networks bringing harm, violence, overdoses and poisonings to the United States.¹³ To accomplish this mission, the US DEA employs about 10,000 people around the world—Special Agents, Diversion Investigators, Intelligence Analysts, Chemists and professional staff—across 241 domestic offices in 23 divisions and 93 foreign offices.¹³ The US DEA’s top priority is reducing the supply of deadly drugs in our country and defeating the two cartels responsible for the vast majority of drug trafficking in the United States.⁴

Kloxxado^® is a registered trademark of Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

Narcan^® is a registered trademark of Emergent Operations Ireland Limited.

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