Clicky

Narcan: The Nasal Spray that Could Save Your Life

Share This Post

Opioids (sometimes called narcotics) are a type of medicine that decreases the feelings of pain. Healthcare providers may prescribe opioids to lessen pain from:

  • Toothaches
  • Injuries
  • Surgeries
  • Long-lasting pain (like cancer)

Opioids come from the opium poppy plant that provides pain-numbing medicine. Opioids attach to your cells (receptors) found in the body and brain. They decrease pain messages sent to the brain, thereby lessening the feeling of pain.

Examples of Common Opioids

  • Codeine
  • Fentanyl
  • Hydrocodone
  • Hydromorphone
  • Methadone
  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone
  • Oxymorphone
  • Tramadol

Common side effects include constipation, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting

So, What’s the Big Deal?

Let’s look at some definitions:

  • Drug dependence: your body changes when you take the drug for a long time. These changes cause you to have withdrawal when you stop using the drug. Opioid withdrawal symptoms may include:
    • Sweating
    • Chills
    • Nausea
    • Diarrhea
    • Shaking
    • Depression
    • Increased heart rate
    • Trouble getting to sleep
  • Drug addiction: your body and mind can’t function without the drug causing you to seek out the drug. Opioids can create endorphins (feel-good chemicals) that your brain relies on and craves when you don’t have it.

Tolerance and dependence are expected when taking opioids. However, regular use can lead to dependence and misuse (taking opioids more than prescribed), increasing the risk of addiction, accidental overdose, and death.

The U.S.Opioid Epidemic

In 2017, more than 47,000 deaths in the United States were from an opioid overdose. As a result, the Health and Human Services (HHS) and the President declared a public health emergency.

Look at the Trends in 2018:

  • 10.3 Million people misused opioids
  • 2 Million people misused opioids for the first time
  • 81,000 people used heroin for the first time
  • Nearly 70% of the 67,367 drug overdose deaths were related to opioids
  • 130 people died every day from opioid overdose
  • 3.4% of high school seniors misused opioids (other than heroin) in the past year

What’s Being Done to Address the Epidemic?

The CDC and HHS have created a 5-Point (Better) strategy to overcome the opioid epidemic:

  1. Better access tostate and local prevention, treatment, and recovery services
  2. Better monitoring trends
  3. Better pain management guidelines for healthcare providers  
  4. Better opioid overdose-reversing drugs
  5. Better research on pain and addiction to increase awareness

Narcan – A Nasal Spray That’s Saving Lives

Approximately every 12 minutes, someone overdoses on opioids within the U.S. To help combat this, individuals using high-dose opioids should consider keeping Narcan (a.k.a. naloxone) on hand.

Just like someone with a severe allergy keeps an epinephrine pen on hand, Narcan is kept on hand in the event of a breathing emergency from opioid use.

Common signs and symptoms of overdose include:

  • Unable to wake up
  • Slowed or no breathing
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Cold skin
  • Tiny pinpoint pupils (black center in the middle of the eye)

Narcan is a nasal spray approved for the emergency treatment of an opioid overdose. It can quickly and temporarily reverse the effects of opioids and restore breathing to a normal pace allowing for extra time for emergency services to arrive and get the affected individual to the hospital.

Who Can Obtain and/or Administer Narcan?

Narcan is available at most pharmacies within the U.S. without a prescription for anyone who needs the medication (even friends and family in most cases).

The pharmacist will discuss the purpose of Narcan, how to identify a suspected overdose, and proper administration instructions before dispensing the agent so anyone requesting the nasal spray knows how to use it properly.

There are also Narcan programs that provide kits to opioid users and their friends and families who may be able to save the life of someone at risk of an opioid overdose.

Police departments, emergency medical services, and community-based health services should also have Narcan available with trained personnel in the event of a suspected overdose.

Is Narcan Safe?

Narcan is considered safe to administer in individuals suspected of opioid overdose and will have no effects if an individual does not have any opioids in their system.

Symptoms of withdrawal are possible after Narcan administration, although uncomfortable, are not life-threatening.  The risk of a serious adverse reaction from Narcan is much less compared to the risk of death from an overdose.

911 MUST be called immediately upon administration of Narcan as its opioid reversal effects are short term (30 – 90 minutes) and could wear off, causing another breathing emergency. The individual will need to be monitored closely until emergency services arrive.

Bottom Line:

Be informed! If you or a loved one are taking an opioid medication (especially in high-doses), consider keeping Narcan on-hand in case of an emergency. Friends and family members should know where Narcan is stored and how to administer the nasal spray before an overdose happens.

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, talk to your healthcare provider or call the National Drug Helpline 24/7 at 1-800-975-8435 for more information. 

References:

National Drug Helpline. https://nationaldrughelpline.org/index.html. Accessed 21 June 2020.

medically reviewed and fact checked

We are committed to providing our readers with only trusted resources and science-based studies with regards to medication and health information. 

Disclaimer: This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. If you suspect medical problems or need medical help or advice, please talk with your healthcare professional.

Share This Post

Pharmacists.org Discount Club

Get Started for $1.

  • Cheapest cash pay option at your retail pharmacy
  • 1,000s of drugs below $10.00 that can beat your co-pay
  • Start for $1 for your first month. Cancel anytime. 
  • Tell us your meds, we tell you the cheapest options.

Popular Destinations

Recent Articles

pills on a table

Inner Knee Pain: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

The inner knee is a joint where the femur meets the tibia. It's one of many joints in your body, and can sometimes be subject to wear-and-tear or injury. Inner knee pain is very common with most people experiencing it at some point in their life. Luckily, there are ways to treat inner knee pain through medication, physical therapy, and self-care practices. We'll provide an overview of six different causes of inner knee pain and find out how to treat and prevent it in the future.

Read More »

Aleve vs Ibuprofen: What’s the difference?

We all have muscle aches and pains every once in a while, and sometimes, the pain gets to be enough that we need to take medication to help alleviate the symptoms. Over the counter medications like Aleve and Ibuprofen offer pain relief from pain associated with common ailments like arthritis, headache, toothache, acute injury, and gout and they are affordable and accessible. Many people assume that because these medications are available over the over the counter (otc), they’re safe and without risk, but recent studies have found that about 15 percent of adults take greater quantities of ibuprofen, Aleve, and other anti-inflammatory drugs than is recommended for daily use. Aleve and ibuprofen perform similar functions, but there are also significant differences between the two medications.

Read More »
pills on a table

Questions About Pain on the Left Side of My Body

Do you have pain on the left side of your body? You're not alone. The left side of your body is home to many organs and structures, including the heart, lung, and stomach. Left-sided pain can also be caused by a number of other factors such as muscle strain or injury. We'll explore pain on the left side of your torso and offer advice for when you should see a doctor about pain on the left side of your rib cage or abdomen.

Read More »

Cove Migraine Review: Are These Medications Effective?

Cove is a telemedicine company that provides personalized treatment for migraine sufferers, but are their medications effective? We provide you with an honest review.


We review and include products we think are useful for our community. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission. For more info, please read our ad policy, content principles and vetting policy.

Read More »
pills on a table

Meloxicam Side Effects: What Are They?

People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis deal with daily, chronic pain that can have a serious impact on their quality of life. Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 1.3 million Americans, including both adults and children, and about one percent of the population worldwide. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the United States, affecting approximately ten percent of men and thirteen percent of women aged 60 and older, and is the most common cause of total hip and total knee replacements in the United States. Meloxicam is a medication available for daily management of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children and osteoarthritis in adults, but it is not without side effects.  There’s a lot to know about meloxicam, including its benefits, risks, uses, and costs, before asking your doctor about the medication.
 

Read More »

Share On:

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore

Inner Knee Pain: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

The inner knee is a joint where the femur meets the tibia. It's one of many joints in your body, and can sometimes be

Aleve vs Ibuprofen: What’s the difference?

We all have muscle aches and pains every once in a while, and sometimes, the pain gets to be enough that we need to

Questions About Pain on the Left Side of My Body

Do you have pain on the left side of your body? You're not alone. The left side of your body is home to many

Cove Migraine Review: Are These Medications Effective?

Cove is a telemedicine company that provides personalized treatment for migraine sufferers, but are their medications effective? We provide you with an honest review.

We

Meloxicam Side Effects: What Are They?

People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis deal with daily, chronic pain that can have a serious impact on their quality of life.

Aleve vs Advil: What are the Main Differences?

Although Aleve and Advil are available over the counter, they’re not without risk. Recent studies have concluded that approximately 15 percent of American adults

What Is Humira Used For?

The drug has been in use for nearly 20 years and has been extensively studied, so it is a popular choice for doctors and

To Take or Not to Take: Osteoarthritis Supplements

Are you one of the over 30 million Americans suffering from osteoarthritis? Or maybe you know someone who is? Do you or someone you

Meloxicam Side Effects: What Are They?

People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis deal with daily, chronic pain that can have a serious impact on their quality of life.

What Do Muscle Relaxers Do?

If you’ve ever struggled with lower back pain, had certain types of surgery, or are affected by certain chronic muscular conditions like multiple sclerosis,

What’s The Best Over the Counter Migraine Medicine?

We’re revealing the best over the counter migraine medicine to help you in your selection. Read on for more details.

New Treatment Option for Acute Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches affect 12% of the population in the United States. During an acute migraine headache, symptoms can get severe enough where it becomes

Ocular Migraine Treatment: What You Need to Know

If you’ve experienced the pain of a migraine, you know how strainful it can be. Find out the best ocular migraine treatment and more

To Take or Not to Take: Osteoarthritis and Supplements

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, sometimes referred to as “wear and tear” and affects over 30 million Americans. There are a variety of

What Is Plantar Fasciitis? The Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot injury that can cause pain and discomfort. The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue that runs

Is Hydrocodone an Opiate?

Hydrocodone is an opiate that presents a high risk of abuse and addiction. Commonly prescribed for the short term management of pain, hydrocodone can

Joint Pain Medication: Common Side Effects

Being aware of the potential side effects associated with joint pain medication can help you decide which drug is right for you. Learn more

Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone: The Difference Explained

Hydrocodone and oxycodone are prescription opioid painkillers that are effective medications to treat moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is more likely to cause side

How Much Does Humira Cost?

It’s considered highly effective and has been in use for 20 years, and it remains popular today because it is considered safe and well-tolerated.

Gabapentin Side Effects: What Are They?

Gabapentin is in a class all its own when it comes to medications – literally. The medication belongs to a class of drugs named