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What is naloxone?
Naloxone, often called by its brand name Narcan ® , is a safe, life-saving medication that reverses an opioid overdose. Naloxone is most commonly available as a nasal spray or injection.There is no potential for misuse or addiction to naloxone. An increase in naloxone distribution has been shown to help decrease the number of overdose fatalities across the country.
Types of naloxone
Intra-nasal (nose spray) naloxone
Intra-muscular (muscle injection) naloxone
How do I know when to administer naloxone?
Administer naloxone when someone appears to be overdosing. The CDC has outlined the following guidance to help prevent an opioid overdose death:
An overdose can dangerously slow or stop breathing. This can cause brain damage or death. It’s important to recognize the signs and act fast. Signs of an overdose can include:
Falling asleep or loss of consciousness (inability to rouse)
Slow, shallow breathing (less than 12 breaths per minute)
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Pale, blue, or cold skin
Small pupils
When someone appears to have overdosed, try to wake them first. Call emergency services as soon as possible and administer naloxone. Wait two to three minutes - it may take time for the naloxone to have an effect. If the person does not start breathing within two to three minutes, inject another dose. Throughout this process, continue to administer rescue breaths every five seconds to continue the flow of oxygen. Stay with the individual until EMS arrives. For a more detailed explanation of responding to an opioid overdose, please visit this page from the National Harm Reduction Coalition.
How does naloxone work?
Opioids attach to a part of the brain called the mu receptor and slow activity in the central nervous system. As a result, breathing can slow or stop. Naloxone has a stronger attraction to the mu receptor than the opioid. As a result, it can block the effect of opioids, restoring breathing within two to three minutes. Naloxone can only block the effects of an opioid for about 30-90 minutes, so 9-1-1 should always be called. If naloxone is administered in the absence of an opioid, it is not harmful to the individual.
Where can I find naloxone?
Naloxone is not a controlled substance and does not require an individual prescription to carry. The following map displays the location of organizations that provide free naloxone for people who use drugs or people who know those at risk of an overdose. Naloxone can also be obtained at a pharmacies. To locate other harm reduction resources, please visit the National Harm Reduction Coalition Resource Center.
National Harm Reduction Coalition's Naloxone Finder
Naloxone mini-course
This mini-course from University of Minnesota Extension describes factors increasing overdose risk, signs/symptoms of overdose, advantages of certain types of naloxone, and where to access naloxone.
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