Guidelines for Employing Narcan

Guidelines for Employing Narcan

Anyone can encounter an opioid overdose situation, even if it's their first time dealing with opioids. These powerful substances can disrupt your breathing, particularly when used excessively or combined with other substances, potentially leading to respiratory failure. Without oxygen, vital organs can only survive for a few minutes.

Luckily, we've got naloxone - a lifesaver! This medication counters the effects of opioids and brings normal breathing back to someone experiencing difficulty breathing or who has stopped breathing due to an opioid overdose. There are various brand names and forms for naloxone, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Narcan® as an over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray. While it's tough to estimate the exact lives saved by Narcan, studies suggest it's effective when administered promptly and correctly.

Ambulatory care pharmacist Ashley Jones, PharmD, BCACP, breaks down how to use Narcan and when to do so.

Using Narcan: A Simple Guide

Narcan typically comes in a pack containing two doses. If the initial dose doesn't work, you can give the second dose without worrying about extra side effects or repercussions. Remember, Narcan only works against opioids, and its effects last between 30 to 90 minutes for the following reasons:

• If you're unsure whether someone has overdosed using opioids, go ahead and give them Narcan. It won't cause harm, and it's safe to use even without opioids in your system.
• A person who starts breathing again after Narcan may still experience another opioid overdose within the Narcan-effective window (30-90 minutes) or if they have large amounts of opioids in their system. Therefore, after giving Narcan, always call emergency services and remain with the person until help arrives to prevent further overdoses.

"Once you dial emergency services," Dr. Jones advises, "it's smarter to administer Narcan as quickly as possible."

Here's how to apply Narcan:

1. Lay the person flat on their back, making sure their airway isn't blocked.
2. Open the outer carton of Narcan and remove the inner packaging to get the nasal spray device.
3. Grasp the device with your thumb at the plunger's bottom and your pointer and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
4. Tilt the person's head back, then insert the nozzle into one nostril until your fingers touch the person's bottom nose.
5. Firmly press the plunger to discharge the spray dose into the person's nostril and remove the device afterwards.
6. After the first Narcan dose, perform CPR or hands-only CPR to support the person's breathing until they start breathing naturally again or emergency services arrive. If the person starts responding within two to three minutes, the Narcan has worked. Turn them onto their side in the recovery position and stay with them until medical help arrives.
7. If the person fails to respond within two to three minutes or their breathing issues reoccur, administer the second dose of Narcan into the opposite nostril. If their breathing stops again at any point, continue supporting their breathing until help comes.

Should You Use Narcan?

If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, there's no need to wait for them to be unresponsive before offering Narcan.

"If someone shows signs of overdose - slow or shallow breaths, slow pulse, cold or pale skin, blue lips/fingernails, or vomiting - Narcan can help," Dr. Jones says. "And if they're unresponsive or unconscious, and there are signs of overdose, they require immediate Narcan."

Narcan can be found at local pharmacies, from healthcare providers, or at retailers once the FDA makes over-the-counter Narcan available nationwide. For individuals unable to purchase Narcan from retailers or pharmacies and those concerned about the opioid use-related stigma, discreet harm reduction programs like NEXT Distro offer Narcan for free across the country.

1. In the event of an opioid overdose, naloxone, such as the over-the-counter Narcan nasal spray, can be a lifesaver, restoring normal breathing.
2. Not just limited to medical settings, naloxone is effective in home settings when administered promptly and correctly.
3. A single pack of Narcan usually contains two doses, with the option to administer a second dose if the first doesn't work without additional side effects or repercussions.
4. Narcan works only against opioids, and its effects last between 30 to 90 minutes due to the nature of opioids and the duration of opioids in the system.
5. In case of doubt about opioid overdose, it's safe to provide Narcan, as it won't harm the individual and is generally safe to use even without opioids in the system.
6. After administering Narcan and calling emergency services, it's crucial to stay with the individual until help arrives, as a person may experience another opioid overdose within the Narcan-effective window or if they have large amounts of opioids in their system.
7. If emergency medical services are notified, it's better to administer Narcan as quickly as possible.
8. During an overdose, laying the person flat on their back helps ensure their airway isn't blocked, and opening the Narcan packaging and tilting their head back are key steps in administering the nasal spray.
9. A person's health and wellness can be significantly impacted by chronic conditions such as chronic kidney disease, COPD, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, while fitness and exercise, nutrition, and therapies and treatments play vital roles in maintaining cardiovascular health, eye health, hearing, digestive health, skin conditions, mental health, and overall health.
10. Harm reduction programs like NEXT Distro provide confidential, discreet access to Narcan for individuals unable to purchase it from retailers or pharmacies, as well as those concerned about opioid use-related stigma.
11. In cases of suspected overdose, prompt administration of Narcan can be crucial in preventing long-term health complications and respiratory failure, as vital organs can only survive for a few minutes without oxygen.

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