What Is Narcan And How Does It Work?

I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I have seen firsthand 8 people overdose on opioids. Opioids are everywhere. Most homes either currently have a type of medicine with opioids in them, or have had them in their house in the past. It’s very easy to overdose on street drugs like heroin, but sadly extremely common for people to overdose on prescribed medications as well. I know my family has a little more peace of mind knowing they have a tool to save my life if I ever overdosed on opioids.

What Is Narcan?

Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse the effects of opioids, and save someone who is overdosing on heroin, fentanyl, oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, or any other opiate-based medication or drug. Narcan works by targeting the opioid receptors in the brain and blocking them from receiving any further opioids. Narcan is an opioid antagonist meaning it can bind to the opioid receptors and block the effects of any further opioids trying to attach to the receptors. It also kicks out the opioids that are in the receptors thus reversing the effects of the opioids that caused the overdose.

The main ingredient in Narcan is Naloxone. Naloxone is what reverses an overdose. Narcan is the most common form of Naloxone, and most recognizable by the general public. Narcan is a trademark name for Naloxone hydrochloride.

According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of Americans say they have a family member or close friend who is addicted to drugs. That’s a crazy high percentage. To say America has an opioid epidemic is an understatement. This is exactly why it’s so important to have Naloxone (Narcan) available at any moment.

When To Use Narcan

Narcan should be administered to any individual who is suspected of overdosing from opioids. The beauty of Narcan is that if it’s given to someone who’s not overdosing from opiates it is virtually harmless. If you see someone you think is overdosing on opioids you should administer Narcan immediately.

How To Use Narcan

There are 4 main ways Naloxone can be administered.

Intravenously
Intramuscular Injection
Nasal Spray
Combined With A Pill or Other Medication

Intravenously

This route is a direct injection into the person’s vein. This will usually take 10-20 seconds to take effect and may take up to 2-3 minutes to see results. If overdose is not reversed after 5 minutes a second dose can be administered. Generally administered by a certified medical professional, but more and more members of the community are being certified in the use of Narcan.

Intramuscular Injection

This is an injection into the muscle, usually the thigh or upper arm. This usually takes effect in 15-20 seconds and may take up to 2-3 minutes to see results. If overdose is not reversed after 5 minutes a second dose can be administered. EVZIO is a common trademark name for intramuscular Naloxone injections.

Nasal Spray (Most Common)

This is sprayed directly into the nostril. Naloxone nasal spray usually takes effect in 15-20 seconds and may take up to 2-3 minutes to see results. If overdose is not reversed after 5 minutes a second dose can be administered. NARCAN is the trademark name for the most common Naloxone nasal spray administrator. This form comes in a small bottle that looks just like sinus nasal sprays.

Combined With Pill or Other Medication

Naloxone is often combined with other opiate fighting medications for long-term treatment. Suboxone is a very common form of this combination. This combination can help recovering addicts by blocking their opioid receptors in their brains, thus preventing them from getting high.

After Effects

Once Narcan is administered to a person overdosing on opioids the effects of the opioids should be kicked out of their system and replaced with Naloxone. Once this happens the symptoms of a person’s overdose should be reversed.

When Naloxone is administered to someone overdosing on opioids they will more often than not go into immediate withdrawal symptoms upon waking up. I know my biggest fear when I was using was going into withdrawal. Withdrawal is one of the main reasons it is so hard for someone to kick an opioid (heroin) habit. I felt the skin-crawling awful withdrawal symptoms too many times to count. I’m not proud to admit that.

Some family members have asked me what opioid withdrawal feels like? The best way I can describe it to someone who hasn’t felt it is to take the Flu mixed with food poisoning combined with the mental anguish of losing a loved one. Withdrawal for an opiate addict feels like death. They feel like they’re going to die. Many times when someone is given Naloxone and comes out of an overdose they are in a terrible mood because withdrawal symptoms are in full effect. The person may be in a miserable mood upon waking up, but at least their alive!

Dosing

NARCAN nasal spray comes with 2 prepackaged nasal sprays each with 4mg of Naloxone. If Narcan is administered to someone and no effects are seen after 2-3 minutes a second spray can be administered. In certain states, you still need a prescription for Narcan. Other states have Narcan available over the counter. Please check your state FDA regulations or call your local pharmacy for more information.

Breaking The Stigma

Many friends and family members avoid talking about addiction. No one wants to think the worst about someone they love. My parents were in denial about my addiction for years. Even when they did come to terms with it they had no idea I was using heroin. Please please please don’t avoid this issue.

Narcan can’t be self-administered by someone who is overdosing. This makes it imperative for family and friends to learn how it works and when to use it. If you have a feeling that someone you know may be abusing opioids you must have Narcan on hand. Even though I haven’t used opioids in a fair amount of time there are 2 Narcan kits at our home.

Many states offer free Narcan certifications. I received my Narcan certification at Willard Drug Treatment Center. Willard has implemented a program to provide Narcan kits and Narcan training to every individual before graduation. I believe every rehab and jail in the country should provide these same services to everyone being released.

NARCAN is one of those things you want to have and never need instead of needing it and not having it. Please contact your local pharmacy, doctor, or treatment center to find out how you can get a Narcan kit.