Not All Heroes Wear Capes, But They Do Carry Narcan

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If someone you know and love takes opioids or uses drugs, you can save their life in the event of an overdose by having one simple product from your local pharmacy. Narcan is a drug that can reverse the symptoms of an opioid overdose. You may also see this drug referred to as Noloxone. This can be given through either a nasal spray or a muscle injection.

Before giving someone Narcan, it is important to know if the person who needs help is having an opioid overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are a few signs that can show if someone is overdosing.

  • They are unconscious and will not wake up
  • Their skin, nails, or lips are discolored
  • They have slow or shallow breathing
  • They are making choking or gurgling noises while unconscious
  • They have small pupils that do not react to light

Only certain substances can cause an opioid overdose, including heroin, prescription or non-prescription opioid medications, fentanyl, and other drugs that may be mixed with fentanyl like cocaine or methamphetamine. If someone is overdosing on a drug that is not an opioid, Narcan will not harm that person, but it will not have any overdose reversal effects.

The first step to giving Narcan to someone who is overdosing is to call 911. While Narcan can help with overdose symptoms, this is not a cure, and medical professionals will need to give aid to the person who has overdosed. After giving someone Narcan, their breathing should become deeper within 2 to 3 minutes. If their breathing does not deepen after this time frame, you can administer a second dose.

After someone is given Narcan and while waiting for medical professionals to arrive, they should be turned onto their side, kept awake, and someone must stay with them until help arrives.

If you or someone you love is using an opioid, you don’t have to worry about not being able to help them if they overdose. You can be an everyday hero with Narcan!

This post has referenced content from the following sources:

CDC. (2024, May 2). 5 things to know about naloxone. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/reversing-overdose/about-naloxone.html

Enser, M. (2023, June 2). Opioid overdose symptoms, first aid, resources, & free narcan. First Response Safety Training. https://www.firstresponsecpr.com/blog/opioid-overdose-first-aid/