Anyone can save a life during an opioid overdose with naloxone, a front-line defense in the nation’s overdose crisis. Naloxone is a life-saving drug that, when sprayed into the nose or injected, quickly reverses the powerful effects of opioids during an overdose.
Everyone who overdoses with opioids, whether with a prescribed medicine or an illicit drug, can use naloxone, including nasal sprays and injections. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine.
Naloxone products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are an important tool to reverse overdose in health care and community settings. That’s one of many reasons the FDA is working to help increase access to naloxone.
“Without the administration of naloxone, there is a high risk of fatality from an opioid overdose,” said Marta Sokolowska, Ph.D., deputy center director for substance use and behavioral health at the FDA. “This is the reason it is very important that anyone witnessing an opioid overdose has access to naloxone and feels confident using it during an emergency.”
How to Recognize an Opioid Overdose and Use Naloxone
Opioids are medications that can be used to treat certain kinds of pain or opioid use disorder. Some illicit or nonprescribed substances such as heroin are also opioids. Signs of an opioid overdose may include:
unconsciousness or unresponsiveness (doesn’t wake up when shaken or called)
shallow breathing,limpness,blue lips, gums, or fingertips, slow or irregular heartbeat or pulse
“Anyone – including family members, caregivers, or other people who may have to use naloxone in an opioid overdose – should be taught to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and to administer naloxone,” Sokolowska said.
Naloxone is very powerful and works quickly. When administered soon after someone starts experiencing an overdose, the person will usually wake up within one to three minutes. Repeat administration of naloxone may be necessary.
But naloxone is a temporary treatment, and its effects do not last long, thus it is extremely important to still call 911. After giving someone naloxone and calling 911, stay with the person, even if they are conscious, until emergency medical help arrives.
Discuss Naloxone When Getting a Prescription for Opioids
Some naloxone products are safe and effective for nonprescription (over-the-counter, or OTC) use, while some other products may require a prescription.
Many states allow “standing orders” – that means consumers can get naloxone directly from a pharmacist, without a prescription.
“Don’t hesitate to administer naloxone in an emergency even if you’re not sure if the person is experiencing an opioid overdose,” Sokolowska said. “Giving someone naloxone who does not have opioids in their system shouldn’t hurt them, but it could help them and save their life.”
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