A statement from the American Academy of Pain Medicine
The American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) applauds U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH comments urging more Americans to carry naloxone, a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
In a public health advisory, the Surgeon General encouraged patients currently taking high doses of prescribed opioids as well as other members of the medical community and general public to carry naloxone as a preventative measure.
As the Academy outlined in its July 2015 comments supporting efforts to maximize the availability of naloxone, naloxone saves lives and has no significant negative effects.
“AAPM strongly supports easy and widespread access to naloxone as an important tool for reversing potentially fatal opioid overdoses as part of the comprehensive response to the opioid epidemic,” says AAPM President Steven P. Stanos, DO. “The Academy looks forward to working with the Surgeon General’s Office to further raise awareness, education, and support related to the use of naloxone.”