FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (02-03-2016)
Cabell-Huntington Health Department Announces Distribution of EVZIO™ Naloxone Auto-Injectors to Fight Against Opioid Overdose Deaths
HUNTINGTON, West Virginia. The Cabell-Huntington Health Department announces they have received a supply of EVZIO™ naloxone auto-injectors from kaléo through their product donation grant, the Richmond, Virginia-based pharmaceutical company. Health Department officials will now be able to distribute Naloxone to anyone who holds a Naloxone certification.
EVZIO is the first FDA-approved naloxone product specifically indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression and is intended for immediate administration as emergency therapy in settings where opioids may be present, including outside of supervised medical settings. Nearly 17,000 Americans die each year from prescription opioid overdose and unintended drug poisoning has surpassed automobile collisions as the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., driven largely by prescription opioids. Opioid overdose can cause a person’s breathing to severely slow down and even stop.
EVZIO is a pre-filled, single-use, hand-held auto-injector that works by temporarily blocking the effect of an opioid, potentially reversing the life-threatening respiratory depression and allowing the recipient to breathe more regularly. Each EVZIO device uses voice and visual cues to assist in guiding the user through the process and delivers a single 0.4 mg dose of naloxone. EVZIO is not a substitute for emergency medical care.
“The rising number of overdose deaths from opioid-based prescription drugs and heroin is one of the top concerns for our community,” Michael Kilkenny, MD Physician Director for Cabell-Huntington Health Department. “This new product delivers a potentially life-saving dose of naloxone via a simple to use auto-injector system that is easy to carry and administer to someone experiencing an opioid overdose.”
“We are pleased to be making this donation as a part of our commitment to widen access to naloxone,” said T. Spencer Williamson, CEO of kaléo. “We are honored to support the outstanding efforts of the first responder community to help save the lives of those who are experiencing an opioid overdose.”
“With this donation, we will have an opportunity to make a real difference in the fight against unintentional drug poisoning and overdose.” Dr. Kilkenny
EVZIO first became available in the United States by prescription in July 2014.
Cabell-Huntington Health Department in partnership with Marshall University School of Pharmacy offers FREE Naloxone certification and educational sessions every Wednesday, at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM at the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, located at 703 7th Avenue in Downtown Huntington.
Contact: Elizabeth A. Adkins, MS
Director of Health & Wellness/PIO
Cabell-Huntington Health Department
Office (304) 523-6483 x 258
Fax (304) 523-6482
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About EVZIO
EVZIO is a pre-filled, single-use, hand-held auto-injector that works by temporarily blocking the effect of an opioid, potentially reversing the life-threatening respiratory depression and to help keep a patient breathing. EVZIO is an opioid antagonist indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression. EVZIO is intended for immediate administration as emergency therapy in settings where opioids may be present. EVZIO is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Each EVZIO delivers a single 0.4 mg dose of naloxone HCl injection. Since the duration of action of most opioids may exceed that of naloxone, seek immediate emergency medical assistance, keep the patient under continued surveillance, and administer repeated doses of EVZIO as necessary. For more information on EVZIO, visit www.EVZIO.com.
Important Safety Information
EVZIO is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to naloxone hydrochloride or to any of the ingredients in EVZIO.
The following warnings and precautions should be taken when administering EVZIO:
- Due to the duration of action, keep the patient under continued surveillance and repeated doses of naloxone should be administered, as necessary, while awaiting emergency medical
- Additional supportive and/or resuscitative measures may be helpful while awaiting emergency medical
- Reversal of respiratory depression by partial agonists or mixed agonists/antagonists, such as buprenorphine and pentazocine, may be
- Use in patients who are opioid dependent may precipitate acute abstinence
- Patients with pre-existing cardiac disease or patients who have received medications with potential adverse cardiovascular effects should be monitored in an appropriate healthcare
- In neonates, opioid withdrawal may be life-threatening if not recognized and properly
The following adverse reactions have been identified during use of naloxone hydrochloride in the postoperative setting: hypotension, hypertension, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrest. Death, coma, and encephalopathy have been reported as sequelae of these events. Excessive doses of naloxone hydrochloride in postoperative patients have resulted in significant reversal of analgesia and have caused agitation.
Abrupt reversal of opioid effects in persons who were physically dependent on opioids has precipitated signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal including: body aches, fever, sweating, runny nose, sneezing, piloerection, yawning, weakness, shivering or trembling, nervousness, restlessness or irritability, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramps, increased blood pressure, and tachycardia. In the neonate, opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms also included: convulsions, excessive crying, and hyperactive reflexes.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.