Naloxone (Narcan) is a medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid emergency. Taking too much of an opioid can slow or stop your breathing. If naloxone is given soon enough, it may save a life. It is available at many pharmacies without a prescription.
Your doctor can give you a prescription for a naloxone rescue kit and show you how to use it. In some places you can get these kits without a prescription.
Naloxone is used when a person shows signs of an opioid overdose. A person may have overdosed if they have:
If someone appears to have overdosed, call 911. A drug overdose is an emergency.
Here are some ways you can be prepared to use a naloxone rescue kit.
If you think you or someone else may have overdosed but you're not sure, it's okay to use the kit anyway.
If you overdose, you may not be able to give yourself the medicine.
You never know when you might need it.
Always go to the emergency room after using naloxone.
Doctors will want to make sure the overdose has been reversed.
Naloxone rescue kits come with instructions. The rescue kit may also contain:
Rescue kits include two doses because overdose symptoms may return a few minutes after the first dose from the rescue kit is given.
Naloxone kits save lives. Keep one with you at all times if you or someone you know:
If you accidentally take too much of an opioid, you may not be able to give yourself naloxone. Make sure that your family and friends know you have a kit. Tell them how and when to use it.
If you take too much of an opioid, you may not be able to give yourself the medicine. So it's very important that your friends and family know how and when to give it to you.
Rescue kits come with instructions. There are two ways to give the medicine:
Symptoms of an opioid emergency may return a few minutes after the first dose from the rescue kit. If that happens, a second dose is needed. Rescue kits may come with two doses for that reason.
Keep your rescue kit with you always. You never know when someone might need it.
If you think you or someone else may be having an opioid emergency but you're not sure, use the kit anyway. Aside from going through withdrawal, which may be uncomfortable, there is no danger in using this medicine.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 right away. More treatment may be needed.
©2011-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated