Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain and reversing the life-threatening effects of overdoses from drugs like heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. Signs of an opioid overdose include little or no breathing, blue/grey skin color, and lack of response. If an overdose is suspected, it is important to call 911, administer naloxone, and provide rescue breathing until emergency help arrives. Naloxone is safe and effective for reversing overdoses, but its effects only last 30-90 minutes so continued monitoring is needed.

1. Naloxone,also known by the brand name Narcan, is a safe and effective
medication that canreverse the effectsof opioidoverdose.Itis most often
injected into a person experiencing an overdose. It attaches to the same
parts of the brain that receive heroin and other opioids, and it blocks the
opioids for 30-90 minutes to reverse the respiratory depression that would
otherwise lead to death from overdose.
Common Opiates that cause overdose:
> Heroin. Morphine, Oxycontin, Percocet,Dilaudid, Vicodin,
Methadone, Codeine.
> Opiates are sedating painkillers that depress the Central Nervous
System, slow down body functioning, and reduces physical and
psychological pain.
What puts you at risk for an overdose?
1. Using alone
2. Lower tolerance
3. Mixing drugs – like Cocaine, Heroin, and Alcohol.
Step By Step Overdose Response:
1. Check for signs ofoverdose:
a. Little or no breathing.
b. Blue/Grey colour seen in skin, lips and/or fingernails.
c. No response to voice or physical stimulation (sternal rub).
d. Gurgling or snoring breathing sounds.
2. Call for help:
a. Phone 911!
b. Even phones with no sim card or data plan can call 911!
c. Police don’t respond to OD calls, you will not get harassed or
arrested.
d. Get help from the around you!
3. Rescue Breathing:
a. Air is more important than Narcan!
b. Use a CPR mask or a piece of fabric if that’s all you have.
c. Pinch nose close and tilt head back to open the airway, give one
breath every five seconds.
4. Administer Narcan:
a. Open your needle.
b. Crack the ampule.
c. Draw up entire dose if it is an ampule. If a vial draw 1ml.
d. Give it in any big muscle (arm, thigh, and butt). If you can’t
reach one, the stomach works great
5. Continue breathing:
a. Go back to your rescue breathing.
b. One breath every five seconds using a CPR mask,or a piece of
fabric.
6. Another Narcan:
a. Same as the first. You can give it in the same spot.
b. Keep breathing for them and wait for help.
c. If necessary,repeat step 6 up to 4 injections. Allow 5 minutes
for the Narcan to take effect between injections.
Notes:
 Most OD’s happen 1-3 hours after the drug is taken.
 Do not hit, shake, slap or punch the person od’ing – It won’t help.
 Do not throw water on them or put them in a bathtub – It won’t help
and they may drown.
 Stay with them when they come back up for at least 2 hours. Narcan
only lasts about 30 to 90 minutes and they are likely to go down
again after that. Don’t let them use more drugs. Stay with the person
until help arrives. If they start breathing lay the person on their side.
 If trained and happen to have a kit, restock supplies after each
incident. Make sure the Narcan isn’t expired (Most ampules will
expire after one year).
 An emergency kit for overdose should contain: Naloxone/Narcan,
syringe, gloves, alcohol swab, and mask for rescue breathing.
Source: phs.ca

2. Frequently Asked Questions about Naloxone/Narcan:
Does naloxone only work for overdose cases caused by opioids?
Yes. Naloxone only reverses the effects of opioids such as heroin,
methadone, morphine, opium, codeine, or hydrocodone. It does not
counter the effect of other types of drugs, such as benzodiazepines,
antihistamine, alcohol, other sedatives or stimulants.
Will naloxone hurt someone?
Serious side effects of naloxone are very rare. The most common side
effect is opioid withdrawal, since naloxone ejects the opioids from their
receptors in the brain. Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include
aches, irritability, sweating, runny nose, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Will naloxone make you high?
No. The only effect of naloxone is to reverse the effect of opioids. It
cannot make you high: if you are not using opioids, an injection of
naloxone would feel the same as an injection of water.
Can naloxone cause overdose?
No. It is not possible to overdose on naloxone. If a large dose is given to
a person with opioids in their system, they may experience symptoms of
withdrawal.
Will naloxone work even if someone has previously used it?
Yes. You cannot develop tolerance to naloxone, so it can be used in every
opioid overdose situation no matter how many times a person has
overdosed in the past.
Can naloxone be safely used if it is expired?
Naloxone loses its impact over time aswell asfrom too much heat or cold,
or exposure to sunlight. Expired naloxone will not hurt the victim, but
probably does not work as well as new naloxone.
What is the safest needle to use for injecting naloxone?
What kinds of needles are available will vary from place to place. Experts
recommend using a thicker, longer needle designed for injecting into
muscles. This is typically 22-gauge and 3cm or longer that can easily be
injected into the upper arm or thigh.
How much should naloxone cost?
Most harm reduction programs offer naloxone to drug users for free. The
injectable form of naloxone, however, is typically less than $2 per dose.
Source: naloxoneinfo.org