Naloxone (NARCAN®): How It Works & Where to Get It

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone, sold under brand names like NARCAN® and Evzio, is a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It works by temporarily displacing opioids from brain receptor sites, halting opioid effects and restoring normal breathing to a person whose respiration has slowed or stopped due to an overdose of prescription opioid medications, heroin, or drugs contaminated with opioids such as fentanyl (e.g. cocaine, methamphetamine). Naloxone is ineffective in individuals who do not have opioids in their system. It is a temporary treatment and not meant to treat opioid use disorder.

It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. Naloxone won’t harm someone if they’re overdosing on opioids or other drugs, so it’s always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing. If you suspect an overdose, administer naloxone as quickly as possible and call 911. Do not wait for emergency workers to arrive before giving naloxone. More than one dose might be needed under some circumstances, especially if an overdose event involves illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances. If you give someone naloxone, stay with them until emergency help arrives or for at least four hours to make sure their breathing returns to normal.

Naloxone is available with or without a prescription. It is not a controlled substance nor is it a treatment for opioid use disorder; click here to learn more about treatment options and assistance.

(Source - CDC)

How to Use Naloxone

In its over-the-counter form, naloxone is available as a nasal spray that is easy to use and doesn't require medical training. Follow the steps below to administer it correctly:

• Lay the person on their back, tilting their head up

• Insert the tip of the naloxone nasal spray into either nostril and press the plunger firmly to release the dose 

• Call 911 immediately after giving the first dose and check for responsiveness after 2-3 minutes

• If the person does not respond, continue to administer doses* from a new naloxone device every 2-3 minutes

• Stay with the person until help arrives

*1 naloxone device includes 1 dose