The Importance of Naloxone (Narcan)
- Lavina
- Jun 3
- 4 min read
Whether in private life or public life, and regardless of profession, everyone should have
practical, life-saving skills such as CPR and first aid. Many people pursue certification courses, now available to the general public through organizations such as the American Red Cross, to strengthen these skills. Among these skills, naloxone administration is especially important. In 2023, the CDC reported that approximately 217 people die each day from opioid overdoses, which it has described as an ongoing epidemic. Understanding what naloxone is, how it can help in emergencies, and how to administer it properly can equip individuals to save lives, even outside the medical setting.
What is Naloxone, and How Does it Work?
Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, is an FDA-approved medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses and is most commonly administered as a nasal spray. Naloxone is a safe drug that is easy to administer with minimal training and does not cause harm if opioids are not present.
Common opioids include morphine, Vicodin, heroin, fentanyl, codeine, and OxyContin.
During an overdose, these opioids practically overstimulate what are called mu-opioid receptors (MOR) in the brain. This overstimulation triggers protein signaling pathways that significantly slow the activity of the respiratory centers in the brain, causing breathing to become dangerously slow or even stop entirely, eventually causing death.
Naloxone is considered an opioid antagonist, meaning it competes for and binds to these
receptors, displacing the opioids and reversing their effects. By blocking excessive MOR
activation, naloxone helps restore normal respiration and can prevent fatal overdose outcomes. Because naloxone binds rapidly, relief usually occurs within minutes.
It is important to note that while naloxone is effective for treating overdoses, it is not a
long-term treatment for opioid addiction. A helpful comparison is to think of naloxone as an EpiPen. Someone with allergies does not use their EpiPen as long-term treatment; they use it instead in emergencies to reverse life-threatening anaphylactic shock. In the same way, a person struggling with opioid addiction does not use Naloxone as treatment for addiction, but rather as an emergency intervention that can keep them alive during an overdose and provide another chance to seek recovery and treatment.
How Naloxone Appears and a Brief Guide to Administration
While Narcan is the most commonly recognized brand name for naloxone, other brands are Kloxxado, Zimhi, and Re-Vive. Nalmefene (brand name Opvee) is another opioid antagonist that works to reverse opioid overdoses. Nalmefene has a higher binding affinity for opioid receptors than naloxone does, meaning its effects last longer. However, naloxone remains the current standard opioid overdose treatment due to lower costs and higher accessibility to the medication. This is also why the most commonly used form of naloxone is the nasal spray form rather than the injectable version, although both have the same effects. The over-the-counter availability and ease of use of the nasal spray have helped improve accessibility, which has led to faster intervention during overdoses and better overall public health outcomes.
Here is a brief overview of how Narcan can be administered during an overdose emergency. If you suspect an opioid overdose, check the person for warning signs such as unresponsiveness, bluish or gray skin, or slowed breathing. Lay the person on their back and remember the three P’s: peel, place, and press.
First, peel open the package and avoid testing the medication before use. Second, place the nozzle into either nostril. To make sure you are holding the spray correctly, place your thumb on the plunger and your index and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle. Finally, press the plunger to release the dose intranasally.
After administration, call 911 immediately and remain with the person until EMS arrives to
monitor their condition. Narcan usually begins working within 2–3 minutes, and additional doses can safely be given every 2–3 minutes if the person does not respond or wake up.
Side Effects and Limitations
Naloxone is a safe and highly effective medication that has been proven to reverse opioid
overdoses and save lives. Like all medications, however, it does have potential side effects and limitations. The most common side effects are related to opioid withdrawal and may include insomnia, sweating, nausea, agitation, and other flu-like symptoms.
In addition to potential side effects, there are important limitations to consider. For example, possible allergic reactions to ingredients in formulations such as Narcan and potential drug interactions. Some medications, such as morphine and naldemedine, may interact with naloxone. There is also limited research on the effects of naloxone on specific populations, such as in geriatrics, pediatrics, and breastfeeding women.
Where to Get Naloxone Administration Training
With increasing awareness of overdose prevention, naloxone has played an important role in reducing opioid-related deaths since 2023. With greater awareness, education about antidotes like naloxone is expanding, especially among youth. For Future Lungs New York, in collaboration with NYU and Baruch College, has hosted a successful naloxone training session for students, with additional sessions planned. For Future Lungs New York encourages students to be proactive and attend these free events, as this knowledge can directly translate into saving more lives and building healthier communities.
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