A drug considered to be an antidote to heroin overdoses is becoming more readily available across Pennsylvania.

Former Gov. Tom Corbett in September signed into law Act 139, which allows emergency first responders, including firefighters, police and EMTs, to administer Naloxone, often referred to by its brand name, Narcan, to people experiencing an opioid overdose.

The law also allowed friends or family members of at-risk individuals to get a prescription for naloxone as well as protection from prosecution for those reporting an overdose.

The most commonly abused opioids include prescription pain medication and heroin.

Gov. Tom Wolf last month expanded the ability for at-risk individuals to get the drug by asking state Physician General Dr. Rachel Levin to write a “standing order” that serves as a prescription for naloxone to any state resident who wants it.

The decision allows for pharmacies, if they choose, to offer the drug to people without a prescription.

Dr. David Rottinghaus, medical director of the emergency department at Butler Memorial Hospital, said the legislation can help people save lives before emergency responders can get to the scene of an overdose.

“A person can be saved by the medication before EMS get there,” he said. “It decreases the amount of time for an overdose to become deadly.”

Rottinghaus said there are different ways the drug can be administered, including as a nasal spray.

“It’s very safe and easy to use,” he said.

When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing within two to eight minutes, according to the state.

Rottinghaus said the drug has been used safely by medical professionals for decades.

The state lists two pharmacies in Butler County that carry the drug — Giant Eagle and Saxonburg Drug. Neither pharmacy was able to comment when reached by the Butler Eagle.

The state said other pharmacies in the county may offer the drug as well.

Rottinghaus said he is not familiar with Wolf’s recent standing order request, but said he was in favor of allowing the drug to be administered under the prescription.

“I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “It’s a recognition of a major national problem.”

Rottinghaus said the drug is effective in treating overdoses.

“It’s a complete antagonist,” he said. “No matter how much of an opioid the patient took, Narcan will work.”

Rottinghaus said the only side effect of the drug is it can send a person with a history of opioid abuse into withdraw.

“If a person has a history of heavy abuse, they will suddenly develop withdraw symptoms,” he said.

While the withdraw can be painful, it is not life-threatening, Rottinghaus said.

“That’s why it is so safe,” he said. “If the drug saves a life but makes them uncomfortable for 45 minutes to an hour, I think that’s certainly worthwhile.”

Rottinghaus said patients who regain consciousness after being given the drug by emergency responders are not required to go to the hospital.

While more of the public is gaining access to the drug, so too are emergency responders.

Before Act 139, only trained paramedics could administer the drug. Now, first responder organizations can enter into an agreement with an emergency medical services agency to get the drug. The organization would sign an agreement that is valid under the consent of the EMS medical director or another physician.

Additionally, the first responder agencies would need to complete state Department of Health approved training and get a prescription or standing order to obtain and administer the drug.

Butler Fire Chief Nick Ban said his department has not started carrying the drug, but said it is something that will be considered in the future.

Ban said his department and the Butler Ambulance Service responds to overdose calls regularly.

“It happens a couple times per week,” he said.

Ban noted that a 20-year-old man who overdosed on heroin Thursday night was revived using Narcan. That man refused to go to the hospital afterward.

While Ban said he sees the benefit to the drug, he said he has some concerns about it being available as a prescription.

“I understand the need to make it available, but I think we have to ask will it become a crutch for individuals,” he said.

Ban said the ability for addicts to gain access to the drug could lead to more risky behavior since they’ll know an antidote is readily available.

He said the issue with heroin and other opioids is a national issue that needs to be addressed.

Maria Finn, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Police, said troopers in three troops across in the state have started carrying Narcan.

“We’re working our way through the troops,” she said. “Every patrol trooper will have it.”

Finn said there is no timetable for when the troop in Butler will begin carrying the drug.

Rottinghaus said every ambulance service in the county carries Narcan.