Naloxone is a medication more prescribed now than ever before. Here's why. Terry DeMio,


What is the new pain pill rule in Ohio? 

The State Medical Board of Ohio ruled that doctors who regularly prescribe pain patients high doses of opioids must talk to the patients about opioid safety, including the use of naloxone.


The opioid epidemic has been blamed, in part, on the over prescription of pain pills. The new rule is aimed at preventing accidental overdose deaths.

What is naloxone?

It’s a non-narcotic that blocks the effects of opioids, restoring breathing in overdosing patients. Higher doses of pain pills, or even an extra pill taken by mistake, can induce overdose. While not every patient wants naloxone waiting for them at a pharmacy in addition to their pain pills, the practice of prescribing the two together probably will become routine, medical professionals say.

When does the rule start?

It went into effect late in December 2018 for patients receiving new, high-dose prescriptions for pain lasting more than six weeks.

Does this mean no more pain medication?

No. "We are not taking opioids away from patients who need them," a spokeswoman for the medical board said. The board just wants pain to be managed safely.

More: What a new rule in Ohio means for people getting pain meds

More: How did the doctors get caught in the pain pill investigation? Data

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