• Having NARCAN (Naloxone) is important because ANYONE can be at risk of opioid overdose for multiple reasons, including use of prescription medications, accidental ingestion, and other factors. 
• NARCAN (Naloxone) is a vital emergency supply, such as first aid kits, epipens, and defibrillators. Remember that we are not judging those who may use opioid medications – we are here to emphasize the importance of being prepared for emergencies and knowing how to save a life

Naloxone is an opioid overdose reversal medication.

It temporarily blocks the effects of opioids and can restore breathing when a person’s breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose.

Narcan is a brand name for naloxone nasal spray.

Other naloxone products and brands are also available.

Not necessarily.

Some naloxone nasal spray products are available over the counter without a prescription.

Pennsylvania also maintains a statewide standing order that can be used to dispense prescription naloxone and may help with insurance processing.

You can go to this link to watch a tutorial video on how to use NARCAN (Naloxone) Nasal Spray

As per the instructions provided, NARCAN (Naloxone) is administered in five (5) steps: 

1. STEP 1 
   • • Check for suspected overdose (unconscious, excessive sleepiness, not breathing well)
     • Yell “WAKE UP” & shake the person gently
     • If the individual does not respond/wake, go to STEP 2
2. STEP 2
   • • HOLD the nasal spray device between two fingers with your THUMB on the bottom of the plunger
     • INSERT the nozzle into either nostril 
     • PRESS the plunger firmly to administer the full dose (1 nasal spray device = 1 dose) 
3. STEP 3
   • • CALL 911 immediately after administering the 1st dose 
4. STEP 4
   • • WAIT 2-3 minutes after the first dose to give the medication time to work 
     • IF the person wakes up: go to STEP 5
     • IF the person DOES NOT wake up:
     • Continue to give doses every 2-3 minutes until the person wakes up or medical services arrive 
       • NOTE: it is safe to keep re-administering doses
5. STEP 5
   • • Once the individual has woken up, place them in recovery position (pictured below)

       

     • Remain on site until the ambulance arrives, EVEN IF the person has woken up
   • 

No, NARCAN (Naloxone) CANNOT be self-administered as it is used to revive individuals currently experiencing an overdose (i.e., non-responsive). If you are taking prescription opioid medications and/or using non-prescription opioids, alert your friends and family where you keep your NARCAN (Naloxone) and teach them how to use the nasal spray in the event of an emergency

Give the naloxone and call 911.

Naloxone will not harm someone if opioids are not causing the overdose.

Because illicit drugs can sometimes contain unexpected fentanyl or other opioids, it may not always be obvious what someone has taken.

Naloxone specifically reverses the effects of opioids.

It does not reverse the effects of stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine themselves.

However, if someone is experiencing an overdose and you do not know exactly what they took, administer naloxone and call 911 because opioids such as fentanyl may also be involved.

Start with one dose.

If the person does not respond or begin breathing normally within 2–3 minutes, administer another dose using a new nasal spray device.

Continue following 911 instructions and give additional doses every 2–3 minutes if necessary while waiting for emergency medical services.

Yes.

The effects of naloxone may wear off before the opioids in the person’s body do.

The person needs emergency medical evaluation even if they wake up and appear to feel better.

Follow the storage instructions printed on the package.

Protect naloxone from extreme temperatures and direct light.

Avoid routinely storing it somewhere that may become extremely hot or cold, such as a vehicle for long periods.

Check the expiration date periodically and replace expired or used devices.

Follow the storage instructions printed on the package.

No.

Each nasal spray device contains one dose and is designed for a single use.

If another dose is needed, use a new device.

No. Naloxone is an opioid-antagonist and therefore does not have the same overdosing effects as opioid medications. It is safe (and recommended) to continuously administer doses every 2-3 minutes until the individual wakes up again. 

Naloxone can be administered multiple times if necessary, depending on the patient’s response to the drug and the severity of the opioid overdose. Here are some key points about using naloxone:

• • Initial Dose: The typical initial dose of naloxone for an opioid overdose is 0.4 to 2 mg administered intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intranasally.
  • Repeated Doses: If the initial dose does not produce the desired response (i.e., restoring normal respiration and consciousness), additional doses can be administered every 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Total Dosage: There is no absolute limit to the total number of doses or total amount of naloxone that can be given, but medical professionals will typically titrate doses based on the patient’s response and the specific circumstances of the overdose.
  • Duration of Action: Naloxone has a shorter duration of action compared to many opioids. This means that even if the initial administration successfully reverses the overdose, the effects of the opioid may outlast those of naloxone. Repeated doses or a continuous infusion may be necessary to maintain the reversal effect.

NARCAN (Naloxone) is generally safe, especially when used in emergency situations to reverse opioid overdoses. However, it can cause some side effects, including withdrawal symptoms.

• Common Side Effects
  • • Withdrawal Symptoms: In individuals dependent on opioids, naloxone can precipitate withdrawal symptoms. These can include:
    • Body aches, Diarrhea, Increased heart rate (tachycardia), Fever, Runny nose, Sneezing, Goosebumps (piloerection), Sweating, Yawning, Nausea or vomiting, Nervousness or restlessness, Irritability. Shivering or trembling, Abdominal cramps, Increased blood pressure
• Considerations
  • • Pain: Naloxone can reverse the analgesic effects of opioids, potentially causing significant pain if the person was using opioids for pain relief
    • Overdose Risk: If naloxone is administered in a situation where opioids are present in the system in high amounts, there may be a risk of re-overdose after the naloxone wears off.
• Emergency Use
  • • In an emergency, the benefits of using naloxone to reverse a potentially fatal opioid overdose far outweigh the risks of side effects. It is crucial to seek immediate medical assistance after administering naloxone, as the person may need further medical care.

Onset and Duration of Action

• • Onset: Naloxone typically begins to work within 2 to 5 minutes of administration.
  • Duration: The effects of naloxone last for about 30 to 90 minutes.

Opioids are a class of drugs that act on the nervous system to produce pain-relieving and euphoric effects. They are derived from the opium poppy plant or are synthetically made. Opioids are commonly used for their analgesic (pain-relieving) properties but can also be highly addictive and have a potential for abuse.

Opioids bind to specific receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body called opioid receptors. By binding to these receptors, they block the transmission of pain signals and release large amounts of dopamine, creating a sense of euphoria.

• Natural Opioids: Derived directly from the opium poppy
  • • Examples: Morphine, Codeine
• Semi-Synthetic Opioids: Created from natural opioids
  • • Examples: Heroin (diacetylmorphine), Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone
• Synthetic Opioids: Completely man-made.
  • • Examples: Fentanyl, Methadone, Tramadol, Buprenorphine

• Pain Relief: To manage moderate to severe pain.
• Cough Suppression: Certain opioids (e.g., codeine) are used in cough syrups.
• Anesthesia: Used during surgery to induce and maintain anesthesia.
• Diarrhea Treatment: Some opioids can treat severe diarrhea (e.g., loperamide).

• Prescription Opioids: Oxycodone (OxyContin), Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Morphine, Methadone, Fentanyl.
• Non-prescription (Illegal) Opioids: Heroin, illegally manufactured fentanyl.

No, cocaine is not an opioid. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug, derived from the coca plant, that increases levels of dopamine in the brain, leading to heightened alertness, energy, and feelings of euphoria.

Therefore, NARCAN (Naloxone) WILL NOT WORK if an individual is experiencing an overdose from cocaine use. 

An opioid overdose occurs when a person consumes an amount of opioids that is too high for their body to handle, leading to potentially life-threatening symptoms. This can depress the body’s central nervous system, leading to respiratory failure and other severe complications. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose can be critical for timely intervention and can save lives.

• Taking a higher dose than prescribed or recommended
• Using opioids in combination with other depressants, like alcohol or benzodiazepines
• Using opioids with higher potency (e.g., fentanyl)
• Relapse after a period of abstinence, where tolerance has decreased
• Using opioids without medical supervision

• Respiratory Depression
  • • Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing (or no breathing at all)
    • Gasping for air or choking sounds
    • Cyanosis (bluish tint) of the lips or fingernails due to lack of oxygen
• Extreme Drowsiness or Unresponsiveness
  • • Inability to wake up or respond to voice or touch
    • Unconsciousness
• Pinpoint Pupils
  • • Constricted, tiny pupils (miosis), although in severe cases, they can be dilated due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
• Weak Pulse
  • • Slow or erratic heartbeat
    • Low blood pressure
• Skin Changes
  • • Pale, clammy skin
    • Blue or purplish skin color, particularly around the lips and fingernails

• The prescribing information can be found by clicking here 

No. NARCAN (Naloxone) is a life-saving medication that can be used to reverse an opioid overdose, therefore the benefits outweigh any risks of use. The only contraindication for use is a known allergy to naloxone hydrochloride.