Hennepin Healthcare EMS Now Equipped with a New Way to Help People Overdosing

Minnesota’s Hennepin Healthcare EMS receives nearly 20 calls a day for opioid and opioid overdose related emergencies, according to Hennepin EMS Battalion Chief Michael Trullinger.

The Hennepin Healthcare paramedics are now equipped with a new way to help people overdosing on opioids. Hennepin EMS are among only a few paramedics in the country now carrying Suboxone, to help treat withdrawal symptoms.

Suboxone is not a replacement for Narcan, which is used to immediately treat, and often reverse, an overdose before it becomes fatal.

However, Narcan does not treat the painful withdrawal symptoms that can accompany its use, including nausea, vomiting, tremors, rapid heart rate, blood pressure changes, body pain, sweating, fever and more. Suboxone, when taken immediately after Narcan, will treat these symptoms, reducing discomfort while going through withdrawal.

Hennepin Health has already administered the drug several times since they began carrying it in ambulances last week.

"Patients who have experienced an overdose may have an opportunity to start this treatment while in the care of Hennepin EMS. After they have started treatment, it is much easier to get into a clinic and maintain this therapy," stated Dr. Nicholas Simpson in a press release. Simpson is a Hennepin EMS doctor.

Hennepin Healthcare is hopeful that the addition of Suboxone will help more people receive the care and medical attention they need after an overdose.