Narcan is the brand name of the drug naloxone, which is a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it binds more strongly than opioid drugs to mu receptors but does not activate them. As a result, naloxone shoves opioid molecules off of mu receptors and prevents them from reattaching, but does not, itself, behave like an opioid. When someone overdoses on opioids, the oldest parts of their brain, which control breathing and heart rate are suppressed. Breathing becomes slow, shallow, and intermittent as the brainstem is unable to respond to signals of rising carbon dioxide in the blood. The heart rate slows and may fall into an irregular rhythm. This can cause cardiac arrest. These symptoms will persist as long as the opioid molecules are bound to receptors in the brain. If you wait for the drug to wear off on its own, it could be too late. The person may die or suffer permanent brain damage from lack of oxygen. This is where naloxone comes in. The high affinity between the naloxone molecule and opioid receptors allows the naloxone to dislodge the opioids and allow those neurons in the brain step to start working normally again. Breathing returns to normal and heart rate increases. Naloxone can be administered as either an injection, an auto-injection of the brand name Evzio, or a nasal spray, Narcan. The injectable form requires special training, but the other forms can be administered by anyone. An intravenous injection of naloxone starts working within two minutes, an injection into the muscle, as with Evzio, starts working within five minutes, and Narcan nasal spray works within two to five minutes. Narcan and Evzio come in packs of two just in case one dose isn’t enough. Typically, one dose is all that’s necessary, but some people who have taken an extremely high dose of opioids might lapse back into overdose when the naloxone wears off, which typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Someone who has been administered naloxone should also receive emergency medical care and should not be left alone until help arrives. There is no risk in giving naloxone to someone who is not overdosing opioids. The drug simply has no effect if there aren’t opioids in your system. It may cause withdrawal in someone who is overdosing, but as uncomfortable as withdrawal may be, it’s not as dangerous as overdosing. Naloxone has no potential for abuse. Naloxone can be obtained from CVS and Walgreens pharmacies in many states without a prescription. Harm reduction advocates and addiction experts have encouraged easier availability of naloxone as an effective way of reducing the death toll from the opioid epidemic.
If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction or mental illness, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
