What is Naloxone
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications when given in time. Naloxone is easy to use and small to carry. Naloxone comes in box with 2 doses. Often, two doses are needed to reverse an opioid overdose.
How Does Naloxone Work?
Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 - 3 minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of an opioid overdose. More than one dose of naloxone may be required when stronger opioids like fentanyl are involved.
Naloxone won’t harm someone if they’re overdosing on drugs other than opioids, so it’s always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing.
If you give someone naloxone, stay with them until emergency help arrives or for at least four hours to make sure their breathing returns to normal. Learn more about how to save a life with naloxone and where to get free naloxone in Kane County.
Resources
CDC: 5 Things to Know About NaloxoneCleveland Clinic: Opioid Antagonists
National Institute on Drug Abuse: How Naloxone Saves Lives in Opioid Overdose
