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Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Naloxone Rescue Kits for Opioid Overdose

Naloxone Rescue Kits for Opioid Overdose

Overview

Naloxone is a medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid emergency. Opioids are strong pain medicines. Examples include hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine. Heroin is also an opioid.

Taking too much of an opioid can slow or stop your breathing. This is an emergency. If naloxone is given soon enough, it may save a life.

Naloxone comes in a rescue kit you can carry with you. You may hear it called a Narcan kit.

The rescue kit may contain:

  • A nasal spray device that contains the medicine.
  • The medicine along with syringes and needles.

Your doctor can give you a prescription for a rescue kit and show you how to use it. In some places you can get kits without a prescription.

When is naloxone used?

Naloxone is used when a person shows signs of an opioid emergency. A person may have taken too much of an opioid if they have:

  • Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing.
  • Pinpoint pupils.
  • Blue or purple lips or fingertips.
  • No response when you ask questions, shake the person, or rub the person's breastbone with your knuckles.

Make sure your family and friends know about these signs of an opioid emergency.

If someone appears to have taken too much of an opioid, call 911. This is an emergency.

Current as of: November 15, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

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Opioid Use Disorder

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