Naloxone is a medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid emergency. Opioids are strong pain medicines. Examples include hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine. Heroin is also an opioid.
Taking too much of an opioid can slow or stop your breathing. This is an emergency. If naloxone is given soon enough, it may save a life.
Naloxone comes in a take-home kit you can carry with you. You may hear it called a Narcan kit or a rescue kit.
The take-home kit may contain:
A kit can help, and can even save your life, if you have taken too much opioids. All BCEHS ambulances are staffed with Take Home Naloxone Kits, and can be given to anyone who requests a kit by paramedics.
The effects of naloxone only last for 20 to 90 minutes. After naloxone wears off, the opioid may still be present and can cause breathing to slow down again. That means the overdose may return, requiring another dose of naloxone. This is why it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible by calling 911 and be prepared with a second dose of naloxone if the overdose symptoms return.
Additional resources that can be shared with patients are found here:
Naloxone Saves Lives from Hello Cool World on Vimeo.