Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids and reverses an overdose. This medication is an essential tool that can be used in the event of an opioid overdose and has its role in the current opioid epidemic. While it is crucial to implement strategies toward reducing inappropriate use that leads to abuse and addiction in the first place, rescuing patients from overdoses will dramatically reduce mortality associated with opioid misuse.
For this reason, all 51 US jurisdictions have enacted naloxone access laws that remove varying levels of restrictions for naloxone. The next step however, appears to be the enactment of naloxone co-prescribing laws.