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New York (CNN) -- A new medical device that could save thousands of lives by preventing opioid overdoses was approved Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The hand-held auto-injector is designed for family and caregivers to administer a single dose of a drug called naloxone, which rapidly reverses the effects of heroin and other opioids.

Called Evzio, the emergency treatment works like the well-known EpiPen -- an epinephrine auto-injector for serious allergic reactions -- as it is injected into the muscle and does not require training, making it more user-friendly. Once injected, the naloxone stops heroin and other opioids from slowing a person's breathing down to the point that it stops.

The FDA approved the prescription treatment after just 15 weeks under priority status.

Naloxone has long been used in ambulances and hospitals, but Evzio now allows nonmedical personnel to carry the drug in a pocket or to store it in a medicine cabinet.

As use of the new tool becomes more widespread, New York state is doing its part to help combat the epidemic.

That was New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's message Thursday as he announced a new program to provide all state law enforcement officers with naloxone and train them to use it. It's the first state in the nation to do so, using $5 million in seized drug money to fund their Community Overdose Prevention (COP) program.

Currently, most law enforcement agencies are using the nasal spray version of the antidote, which is slightly different than the auto-injector.

It comes in a kit that costs about $60. With a shelf life of two years, every kit has two pre-filled syringes of the drug, along with other items to help use it safely.

Schneiderman says using naloxone allows victims to be brought back "from the brink of death and buys more time to get to a hospital."

Noting that there were more than 2,000 opioid overdoses in New York in 2011, Schneiderman said, "It isn't every day that we can announce that we will save lives."

More than 500 lives were saved last year in Suffolk County, where police officers have been part of a pilot program since 2012 to carry naloxone, Schneiderman said.

The antidote saved the life of Angie Ruhry's son, Peter, in 2009. Though he died 18 months later, Ruhry said "Those 18 months were a gift. Anyone that's lost a loved one knows that even one more day is a gift."

She emphasized her support of the program, saying, "People are dying and we have this powerful tool to save lives in the midst of the epidemic."

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Is the maker of this product on the stock market? what's the symbol?

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tacodude said:

Anyone against employing easy access to a scientifically proven life saver is an ignorant boob. OD deaths aren't just from to high a dose or iv use even. Stopping the opiates affect stops the repertory depression allowing breathing to occur saving someone's life.

If you know nothing of the subject don't talk.

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beandip said:

Kaleo Pharma is a privately held company out of VA (formerly Intelliject until Jan 2014)~ Approximately 2009 Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) was granted exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute the injectors.

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beandip said:

Yup this doesn't seem to be about accessibility. Where are you getting that it's a new formulation? I saw nothing about that in any articles only that the dispenser is new. I absolutely agree with you Travelleler they don't seem to have accessibility as a main factor. Funny how a few cents worth of magic mushrooms seem to fix the problem. Then again I don't think there would be such a heavy stigma and addiction problem if people were allowed to harvest their own opium here but that cuts out the drug dealers (doctors) and kingpins (pharma) and that just won't do. Something I'll hope to learn in time: why they were commissioned to make these things back in 2009 and this is just now coming to fruition despite continuous increase in opiate related overdoses.

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travelleler said:

You saved the life of a junkie who is just gonna do it again as soon as they get a bag.  Why save the lives of people so content to shove off into the afterlife?  Seems a bit rude doesn't it? 

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travelleler said:

  The same pharma jerks that made Imitrex virtually impossible to obtain by people who need relief from severe cluster headaches.  When the 5yr limit was up and they would have had to release a generic (affordable) version they "reformulate" the drug so it can not be made generic.

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trampis said:

I hate big pharma as much as anyone and share those concerns, but it's not like people can't grow their own shit for personal use. Unless your trying to grow a football field worth of plants I wouldn't think there would be an issue.

travelleler said:

You saved the life of a junkie who is just gonna do it again as soon as they get a bag.  Why save the lives of people so content to shove off into the afterlife?  Seems a bit rude doesn't it? 

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Sure, this could help save a "junkie" who very well may just go get another bag and do it again. It could also save the life of a junkie that goes on to get their shit together and become a stronger person through their experience.

This isn't just about people who abuse drugs though. Someone who is legitimately taking narcotic pain medications could experience respiratory depression and this could save their life.

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Well IMO it's good either way. Good for the junkies who want to get their shit straight. And good for the ones who like to get really fucked up. Over and over.

tacodude said:

Anyone against employing easy access to a scientifically proven life saver is an ignorant boob. OD deaths aren't just from to high a dose or iv use even. Stopping the opiates affect stops the repertory depression allowing breathing to occur saving someone's life.

If you know nothing of the subject don't talk.

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tymoteusz3 said:

tacodude said:

Anyone against employing easy access to a scientifically proven life saver is an ignorant boob. OD deaths aren't just from to high a dose or iv use even. Stopping the opiates affect stops the repertory depression allowing breathing to occur saving someone's life.

If you know nothing of the subject don't talk.

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This.

Also, those of you with your high-horse attitude can fuck off. Addicts are just as deserving of care as you.

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Not all addicts are bad people. Besides, if someones dieing you can't just let them die, unless you personally hate them, then It's understandable.

Quote:

YOmamaPr0 said: The reaper is such a buzz kill when you're shootin up.

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