In an Overdose, Narcan Can Save a Life

In 2020, more than 92,000 people died of an opioid overdose in the U.S. This same year, there were 2,065 opioid overdose deaths in Massachusetts. You don’t have to be addicted to opioids to die from an overdose. It can happen to anyone taking an opioid for pain or misusing a prescription. Knowing what to do (use Narcan) and how to do it can save a life.

It’s been shown that the use of Narcan (generic – naloxone), a nasal spray medication, can reverse an opioid overdose and has reduced overdose deaths.

Opioids include prescription drugs like oxycodone and fentanyl, as well as illicit (illegal) drugs like heroin. The recommended steps for treating an opioid overdose include Narcan, CPR and rescue breathing.

Watch this video to learn how to use Narcan and what to do if you see someone who has overdosed.

Steps to Use Narcan if Someone Has Overdosed

Someone who has overdosed may show the following symptoms:

• Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
• Slow shallow breathing
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Limp body
• Pale blue or cold skin

If you think someone has overdosed, take these steps:
1. Call 911.

2. Administer Narcan.

How to use Narcan:

• Open the package.
• Tilt the head back.
• Insert the bottle into the nose and press the plunger so the spray goes into the nose.
• Don’t test the spray first. (Once you do, the medication will be used up.)

If you don’t have Narcan, go to step three and administer CPR.

3. Administer CPR on a flat surface. After two to three minutes, if the patient isn’t waking up, administer a second dose of Narcan into the other nostril, and continue CPR.

If the patient becomes responsive, put them into the rescue position (on their side, top leg across the lower leg, top arm across the chest, with both hands under their head). Wait for EMS.

If the patient doesn’t respond, continue CPR until EMS arrives.

Narcan works for 30 to 60 minutes. Unfortunately, some opioids can last for much longer. When the Narcan wears off, life-threatening overdose symptoms can return. This is an important reason to call 911 as soon as you suspect that someone has overdosed, so the person can be transported to the hospital before symptoms come back.

How to Get Narcan

Narcan is available without a prescription in all Massachusetts pharmacies and is covered by MassHealth and many other insurance companies. In addition, you can get free Narcan at a number of health centers and other organizations throughout the state.

Who Should Carry Narcan

It’s important to understand that Narcan isn’t just for people with a loved one who has a known opioid addiction. Because of the size of the opioid epidemic, the surgeon general recommends that community members obtain naloxone. This is especially true for individuals who:

• Are currently taking or may come into contact with someone who is currently taking opioids for pain
• Are misusing or may come into contact with someone who is misusing prescription or illicit opioids
• Are community members who may come into contact with people at risk for opioid overdose
• Are family or friends of people who have or have had an opioid use disorder
• Are health care providers

Thanks to the Medical Toxicology team through the UMass Memorial Medical Center Emergency Medicine Department and the Overdose Prevention Fund at UMass Memorial Health for providing education on overdose prevention.

Related:
The Pain Brought on by Opioid Use
How to Talk to Your Teen About Opioid Drugs