• Alerts
  • Drugs
    • ADHD Medications
    • Allergy Treatments
    • Antidepressants
    • Antipsychotics
    • Antibiotics
    • Antiseizure
    • Arthritis
    • Cancer Treatments
    • Cardiovascular
    • Diabetes Treatments
    • Dietary Supplements/Weight Loss
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hormone Therapy
    • Oral Contraception
    • Pain Relief
    • Respiratory
    • Skin Conditions
    • Sleep
  • Vaccines/Biologics
    • Blood Products
    • Genetic Testing
    • Tissues
    • Vaccines
  • Devices
    • 3D Printed
    • Autoinjectors
    • Brain Devices
    • Breast Implants
    • Cardiac Devices
    • Contraceptive Devices
    • Cyber Security
    • Home Health Devices
    • Hip Implants
    • Infusion Pumps
    • Respiratory Systems
    • Stents
    • Surgical Devices
    • Transvaginal Mesh
  • Tobacco
  • Resources
    • Product Safety and the FDA
    • Product Recalls
    • Product Liability Lawsuits
    • Questions For A Lawyer
    • Get Help
  • About Us

Autoinjectors

Picture
FDA Approves Evzio (Naloxone) Autoinjector Device For Drug Overdoses

04/04/2014
Yesterday, the FDA  approved Evzio, the first naloxone product that is given with an easy-to-use auto-injector, without having to use a separate needle and syringe.  This new combination drug/device will allow anyone (e.g. a family member, friend, responding police officer) to inject the life-saving drug into a person who has overdosed on opioids.  In addition to coming in a more convenient form, Evzio also gives recorded instructions to the user describing how to deliver the medication.  

Opioids include prescription drugs such as OxyContin (oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone with acetaminophen) as well as illegal drugs such as heroin.  Every year more than 16,000 people die from opioid overdoses.  Naloxone temporarily reverses the life-threatening  slow breathing caused by opioid overdoses and has been the standard treatment for overdoses.  However, because using a syringe to draw naloxone up from a vial requires special training, the vial form was only available to specially trained emergency personnel.  

By making the drug more widely available in the easy-to-use auto-injector, the drug can be more rapidly administered by anyone.  Although the patient still needs immediate medical care (naloxone only temporarily reverse the effects of overdose), it is expected that the extra time gained by the more immediate administration of Evzio will save thousands of lives.

[1] FDA approves new hand-held auto-injector to reverse overdose (April 3, 2014).
[2] FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg Statement on Opioid Abuse.
[3] Throckmorton, Douglas "Opioid Auto-Injector Can Help Prevent Overdose Deaths," FDA Voice (April 3, 2014).

Picture

    Sign-up for Alerts

Submit

Read More About

  • Product Safety and the FDA
  • Product Recalls
  • Product Liability Lawsuits
  • Questions To Ask a Lawyer

    Learn More

    To help us tailor the alerts and information we send to you please let us know which specific drugs, devices, or medical procedures you would like more information about.
Submit
Need help finding a medical or legal professional?  Email us at info@medwarn.org

Home
About Us
Get Alerts

Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Get Help
© 2014 MedWarn LLC