Narcan is a potentially life-saving medication. But before you can use it, you need to know where to find it, how to identify the signs of an opioid overdose, and how to administer Narcan.
What Is Narcan?
Narcan is the brand name of a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It contains naloxone, an opioid antagonist that was first synthesized by Jack Fishman and Mozes J. Lewenstein in the early 1960s.
Naloxone appears to work by binding to the same receptors in the central nervous system that are targeted by fentanyl, heroin, prescription painkillers, and other opioids.
Naloxone has a stronger affinity for these receptors than opioids do. If a person has opioids in their system, naloxone will temporarily detach the opioid molecules from the receptors and prevent them from re-attaching.
This causes an immediate cessation of whatever type of opioid-induced distress the person had been experiencing.
Is Narcan Safe?
Yes, Narcan is safe. Though it binds to the same receptors that opioids do, it does not cause the same effects. Narcan’s only impact on a person’s body is to reverse the effects of opioids. If a person uses Narcan without having any opioids in their system, they won’t feel any changes at all. Also, Narcan poses no risk of abuse, overdose, or addiction.
When Should You Administer Narcan?
You should administer Narcan the moment a person begins to exhibit signs of an opioid overdose. Common signs include:
- Extreme confusion and disorientation
- Constricted (pinpoint) pupils
- Loss of consciousness
- Inability to be awakened
- Snoring or gurgling sound
- Faint heartbeat or pulse
- Slow, shallow, or labored breathing
- Blue or purple coloration near lips and fingertips
- Skin that is cool or clammy to the touch
Remember: Narcan only reverses opioid overdoses. Giving Narcan to someone who has overdosed on any other types of drugs won’t harm them, but it also won’t counteract those drugs’ effects.
How Do You Administer Narcan?
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has posted a downloadable presentation that includes a five-step process for how to administer Narcan:
- Access the applicator device by peeling off the back of the package.
- Hold the Narcan device with your thumb on the plunger and your index and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
- Tilt the person’s head back, supporting their neck with your other hand.
- Insert tip of the nozzle in either nostril, continuing until your fingers touch the bottom of the person’s nose.
- Press the plunger firmly to release the medication into the person’s nose.
Who Is Allowed to Use Narcan?
Naloxone has been legal in the United States for more than 50 years. However, the availability of the medication and the laws regarding who is authorized to use it have changed over time:
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially approved naloxone in 1971. At that time, the medication could only be administered via injection, which limited its use to physicians and other qualified medical personnel.
- In 2014, the FDA approved Evzio, a pre-filled device that auto-injected naloxone. This allowed people without medical training to administer the medication. However, Evzio did not immediately lead to a significant increase in naloxone use, as it still required a prescription. (Also, as noted in a 2018 FDA presentation, the initial average retail price for a package containing two Evzio devices was $4,641.)
- The year after Evzio was released, the FDA approved Narcan. As with other versions of naloxone, Narcan was initially classified as a prescription medication. However, in 2023, the FDA authorized it to be sold on an over-the-counter, nonprescription basis.
Though the FDA no longer restricts Narcan to those who have a prescription, it has been left to individual states to regulate its sale, possession, and use. Currently, all 50 states plus the District of Columbia allow non-professionals to acquire and use Narcan, though extent of this permission can vary from state to state.
In Georgia, where Valor Behavioral Health is located, the sale of Narcan and other naloxone products without a prescription is authorized under a standing order signed by the DPH commissioner.
Where Can You Get Narcan?
You can buy Narcan at pharmacies in several national retail chains, including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, and Kroger. The medication can also be purchased online.
Also, many private organizations and government agencies offer free Narcan.
Learn More About Opioid Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
Narcan can reverse opioid overdose, but it does not alleviate the urges, compulsions, and other symptoms of opioid addiction. If you’ve found it difficult or impossible to stop using opioids, please know that help is available and treatment works.
Valor Behavioral Health Atlanta, Georgia, offers personalized, age-appropriate care for adults and adolescents. Treatment options at our outpatient rehab include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and an outpatient program.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
