How to Properly Administer Naloxone (Narcan)

To administer Naloxone (Narcan), position the person on their back. For the nasal spray, insert the nozzle into one nostril and press the plunger.

Wait 2-3 minutes for a response; if none, repeat in the other nostril. For injection, draw the medication into a syringe and inject it into the shoulder or thigh.

Always call 9-1-1 for emergency help and monitor the person until assistance arrives.

You should learn to use Naloxone because it helps restore normal breathing during an opioid overdose, the same way first responders use it to save lives.

According to the Ohio Department of Health’s report, Project DAWN Annual Distribution Summary (2023), Franklin County ranked among the top five counties in Ohio for naloxone distribution. Over 15,000 kits were dispensed, with more than 1,800 overdose reversals reported through Columbus-based programs.

Why Should You Learn to Use Naloxone?

You should learn to use Naloxone because it can save lives during opioid overdoses. Learning this skill is especially important if you or someone close to you uses opioids or substances that might contain opioids like fentanyl – you should always carry Narcan and ensure your regular contacts know how to access and use it.

The need to learn using this life-saving medication is urgent: in 2021, over 100,000 people died in the United States from drug overdoses, with opioids causing 75% of these deaths. You should learn to use Naloxone because it helps restore normal breathing during an opioid overdose, the same way first responders use it to save lives.

Did you know most health insurance plans cover substance use disorder treatment? Check your coverage online now.

What Is The Correct Procedure For Administering Naloxone?

The correct procedure for administering naloxone includes proper preparation of the device, careful positioning of the patient, accurate delivery of the medication, and essential follow-up monitoring.

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Whether using the nasal spray or injection method, maintaining proper technique and timing is crucial for effective administration.

Nasally

Here are the correct steps for administering Narcan nasally:

• Remove the nasal spray from its box.
• Open the nasal spray by peeling back the tab.
• Hold the spray with your index and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle and your thumb ready to press on the plunger.
• Provide support under the person’s neck, using your hand, and tilt your head back.
• Insert the nozzle into the person’s nostril until your fingers are against the bottom of the nose. 
• Press the plunger down firmly to administer the dose. 
• Wait and watch the person for two to three minutes. 
• If there is no response, repeat the steps to administer another dose in the other nostril.
• If you have not done so already, call 9-1-1.
• Roll the person on their side to prevent choking.
• Wait for emergency services. 

Injection

Here are the steps to administer naloxone (Narcan) through medical injection:

• Take the cap off the vial.
• Puncture the rubber stopper with the needle.
• Pull back the plunger to draw the fluid into the needle. 
• Inject the needle into the muscle in the shoulder or the front of the thigh; injecting through clothing is OK. 
• If there is no response in a few minutes, repeat the steps and inject another dose. 
• Be sure not to wait longer than five minutes to administer a second dose if there is no response. 

How to Administer Rescue Breathing if There Is No Response to Naloxone

To administer rescue breaths if there is no response from Naloxone, you should follow the steps below while you wait for emergency caregivers.

• Tilt the person’s head back.
• Lift their chin.
• Pinch their nose.
• Begin with two breaths into their mouth.
• Every five seconds, continue with another breath.
• If you do not see the person’s chest rise and fall with the breaths, be sure their mouth is clear and their head is tilted back.
• Continue with the rescue breathing until the person can breathe without assistance or until emergency services arrive. 

How To Care For Someone After Administering Naloxone?

To care for someone after administering Naloxone, seek medical assistance and help the person to get clean. Getting addiction treatment prevents the risk of future overdoses that may lead to death. 

Follow these important steps below to care for someone after administering naloxone:

• Explain what happened to the person once they woke up. Encourage them not to take any more drugs, as it leads to another overdose. 
•  Stay with the person until they are in the hospital or until the naloxone wears off.

  This is between 30 to 90 minutes.

•  If you opt not to seek medical assistance, stay with the patient for a minimum of three hours to ensure there are no further signs of an overdose. 
•  If the person is not okay when they wake up, be sure to call 9-1-1.
•  When emergency services arrive, be sure to notify them that the patient has been administered Narcan.
•  If it becomes necessary for you to leave, turn the person on their side with one of their hands supporting their head and one of their knees positioned to keep them from rolling onto their stomach.
•  Go back to where you obtained the naloxone to get more in case you encounter a similar situation. 

What Happens in the Brain When You Abuse Substances?

When you abuse substances, your brain experiences intense surges of pleasure through Dopamine flooding, triggering chemical changes in neural pathways, rewiring the reward center, and diminishing natural pleasure responses.

Over time, your brain requires increasing amounts of substances to achieve the same euphoric effects, while making it harder to find joy in everyday activities like socializing, eating, or intimacy. See the detailed breakdown below of how different substances impact your brain’s reward circuit and neural adaptations.

What Are the Dangers of Drug Addiction?

The dangers of drug addiction include poor physical wellness, mental instability, neurological damage, life-threatening diseases, and fatal overdose. Chronic substance abuse leads to irreversible health complications, from cardiovascular problems to severe dental decay. 

Where Can You Get Naloxone In Columbus, Ohio?

You can obtain naloxone in Columbus, Ohio, from rehab centres like White Light Behavioral Health. It is available as a co-prescription for patients who have been prescribed high-dose opioids.

It is also available over the counter at pharmacies in the state. Naloxone is also obtained for free through syringe-service programs or community-based programs.

What Forms Does Naloxone Come In?

Naloxone comes in nasal and injection forms. They are available to administer without medical training or authorization. These are a nasal spray and a medication solution to inject into a muscle or under the skin. 

Is Naloxone Safe For Use in Columbus, Ohio?

Yes, naloxone is considered safe in Columbus, Ohio, because there is no evidence of significant adverse reactions. As a medication that binds to opioid receptors, Narcan works by blocking or reversing opioid overdose effects.

Though it triggers withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent individuals, including restlessness, anxiety, runny nose, vomiting, chills, hot flashes, rapid breathing, and shaking, these symptoms are not life-threatening. The naloxone medication is so safe that even mistaken administration to someone without an opioid overdose causes no harmful effects.

What Are The Signs Of An Overdose?

The signs of an overdose include physical and behavioral changes that are mistaken for someone who is just high. These signs make it crucial to treat any suspicious symptoms as a potential emergency. 

Look for these warning signs if you suspect someone might be overdosing:

• Losing consciousness or falling asleep
• Gurgling or choking
• Slow or weak breathing
• Pulmonary arrest
• Limp body
• Cold and clammy skin
• Skin discoloration
• Pinpoint pupils

What to Do in Case of an Overdose?

The immediate step to take in case of an overdose is to call emergency services. Good Samaritan laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia protect those who assist someone suspected of overdosing on opioids. 

Follow these critical steps:

• Call 9-1-1.
• Administer Narcan.
• If, after two to three minutes, the person you suspect of overdosing has not reacted to the naloxone, administer another dose. If using the nasal spray, administer the second dose in the other nostril. 
• Do your best to keep the person awake and breathing.
• Turn the person on their side to prevent them from choking.
• Stay with them until emergency caregivers arrive. 

What Role Does Medical Detox Play in Recovery Treatment After an Overdose?

Medical detox plays a critical role in recovery treatment after an overdose.

It provides a medically supervised environment for withdrawal and should be followed by medication-assisted treatment, therapy, and counseling. Seeking addiction treatment immediately after an overdose is essential to prevent recurrence.

Comprehensive substance use disorder programs integrate medical detox with tailored medication and behavioral therapies to address the unique needs of each patient. While the path to recovery may seem overwhelming, support is available to guide you toward a healthier future.