Naloxone (Narcan) is a FDA approved medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. According to SAMHSA (2022), Naloxone “is an opioid antagonist—meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone.”
Naloxone is a short-term treatment and the individual who overdosed will need medical assistance as soon as possible.
Naloxone can be given through the nose, into the muscle, under the skin or through a vein.
Click this link to find a naloxone access point near you.