Naloxone: Myths vs. Facts
Box of Narcan Nasal Spray
Have you heard about the medication that reverses an overdose? Did you wonder if that was true? Have concerns about who should carry it and how to use it? This blog post is for you!
Naloxone (brand name Narcan®) is a medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid (https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics) overdose by attaching to the opioid receptor and blocking the effects of an opioid. By doing this, it restores the breathing of the individual. Naloxone has no effect on someone if there are no opioids in their system. It does not reverse other kinds of drug overdoses.
Naloxone is typically dispensed as a nasal spray and is also available as an injectable.
Understanding how medications work and what context they should be administered is important. Here are a few of the myths and facts about naloxone to help you better understand how to use it, why to carry it, and who it can help.
MYTH Naloxone prevents recovery efforts.
FACT Naloxone saves lives and gives individuals the opportunity for recovery. Additionally, there is no evidence to support an increase in substance use after being revived.
MYTH Only medical professionals can use Naloxone safely.
FACT Community members can use Naloxone effectively and are encouraged to do so. There has been great success with community response to overdoses and no reported injury from administering naloxone. Overall, there is very minimal risk when using Naloxone. Check out the information below to see how you can sign up for Naloxone training.
MYTH I don’t need to know how to use Naloxone if I don’t know someone who uses Opioids.
FACT Everyone should know how to use Naloxone and carry it on them - it’s a part of your first aid toolkit. Overdoses can happen in any community. Think about it like a fire extinguisher - you hope you never have to use it, but it’s in your home just in case.
MYTH Naloxone is expensive.
FACT Naloxone can be expensive if you purchase it at a pharmacy (anywhere from $40 - $80). However, thanks to statewide standing orders, Naloxone is available for free at your local health department.
MYTH Naloxone is not effective for treating a fentanyl overdose.
FACT Fentanyl is a fully synthetic opioid that is stronger and binds tightly to the opioid receptors in the brain. Naloxone is still the only drug that unbinds the opioid from the receptor, even though a higher or repeated doses may be needed for synthetic opioids.
Want to receive Naloxone training? Contact your local health department (https://dbhds.virginia.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/revive/lay-rescuer-training/ ) to request a rapid training (~ 5 minutes) or a group training (~45 minutes) and receive free Naloxone.
Resources