Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan, is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. Narcan works by binding to the opioid receptors to reverse and block the effects of other opioids.
What Are Opioids?
To understand the use and importance of Narcan, we must understand what opioids are. Opioids are a class of drugs that relieve pain and can produce a pleasurable effect on the body and brain. These can be prescribed by doctors for pain relief, can be synthetic, and can be illegal. The most common opioids include:
- Prescription Opioids: Methadone, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone
- Synthetic Opioids: Fentanyl
- And Illegal Opioids: Heroin
Opioid Overdose
Narcan can only be used to reverse the effects of opioids. This means Narcan will not work on someone overdosing on non-opioids. Non-opioids may include cocaine or methamphetamines.
A few examples of how an opioid overdose can happen include:
- A patient misunderstands the directions for use, takes an extra dose, or deliberately misuses their prescription
- Illicit drug use
- Taking friends or family’s prescribed opioid medication
- Or, mixing opioids with other medications, alcohol, or over-the-counter drugs
A few ways to recognize an opioid overdose include:
- Abnormal breathing; very slow or breathing has stopped
- Pin-point sized pupils
- Bluish lips and nose
- Or, the person is unresponsive to touch and voices
Administering Narcan
Anyone can administer Narcan, trained or untrained. In some states, people can receive training on how to administer it.
Note: If Narcan is administered to someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose, it will have no harmful effects.
There are 4 forms of Narcan:
- Nasal Spray
- Auto-Injector
- Nasal Spray Yellow Cap
- And, Intramuscular Needle Syringe
For information on how to administer the auto-injector, yellow cap nasal spray, and the intramuscular needle syringe, check out JJ Safety’s YouTube video “Understanding Naloxone.”
Administering Nasal Spray Naloxone:
- Peel back the package and remove the device
- Hold the device with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and 2 fingers on the nozzle
- Place and hold the tip of the nozzle in either nostril until your fingers touch the bottom of the victims nose
- And, press the plunger firmly to release the dose
After administrating Narcan, call 911 and follow instructions given by the dispatcher. If there is no response from the victim within 2-3 minutes after the first dose, administer a second dose.
Accessing Narcan
Everyone has access to Narcan. Narcan has recently been approved as an over-the-counter opioid overdose treatment, meaning no prescription is needed to purchase it. There are additional ways to access Narcan, including:
- Local, community-based organizations
- Law enforcement officials
- Training courses
- Local pharmacies or health clinics
- And, substance abuse centers
Note: Narcan access may vary in each state, check with your state on access options.
Conclusion
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses, restoring normal breathing and preventing death. While naloxone is not a cure for addiction, its accessibility and effectiveness make it an essential tool in combating the opioid crisis. As awareness and distribution of naloxone continue to grow, it has the potential to save countless lives and reduce the impact of opioid-related harm in communities worldwide.