July 29, 2016.
The French Medicines Agency (ANSM) has just granted a temporary authorization for use (ATU) to a nasal spray which makes it possible to stop the effects of opioid overdoses in one to two minutes.
Decrease the effects of these synthetic psychotropic substances
Some patients, particularly cancer patients, are treated with drugs obtained from synthetic psychotropic opiates. These drugs have the same properties as opium, without however belonging to the same chemical family; however, they can lead to overdoses. To help stop the effects of these possible overdoses, the ANSM has just temporarily authorized the use of a nasal spray, Nascue, containing naloxone.
Naloxone is a molecule that reduces the effects of these synthetic psychotropic substances, pending medical treatment by the emergency services. This ANSM decision follows on from the recommendations of the World Health Organization which, in 2014, asked to allow rapid treatment in the event of an overdose.
Save time before help arrives
This nasal spray can be dispensed, on prescription, to any person at risk of opioid overdose and only to health professionals specializing in the care of drug users. Until now, this drug was only accessible by emergency physicians and in the form of an injection, but the health authorities have seen fit to give the relatives of the patients something to stop the effects of an overdose before it is too late.
However, it is important to remember that the use of this spray will never replace a consultation. In the event of an overdose, you must take the suffering person to the emergency room. This drug has only one goal: to save time before help arrives. ” Nalscue is not a substitute for emergency care provided by a medical structure », Specifies the agency. ” Therefore, emergency services (15 or 112) must be called immediately and systematically. “.
Read also: Consumption of psychotropic drugs in France: worrying findings
