What Is Narcan?

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a Food and Drug Administration-approved medication that can rapidly reverse an overdose from opioids such as oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, or heroin.  It is an opioid antagonist that works by blocking the effects of these drugs on the brain and restoring normal breathing.

An opioid overdose can occur as a result of illicit drug use, when a person accidentally takes an extra dose of their prescription, or when someone mixes opioids with certain medications or alcohol.

Naloxone should be given immediately to someone who is showing signs of an opioid overdose, and 911 should also be called right away. Signs of an overdose include:

  • Breathing that is slow, abnormal, or has stopped
  • Bluish nose or lips
  • Discolored fingernails
  • Pin-point sized pupils
  • Cold or clammy skin
  • Not waking or responding to touch or voice

Naloxone can be administered by nasal spray, or it can be injected under the skin or into the muscle. It can also be given intravenously.  This medication is often used by paramedics, emergency medical technicians, or police officers. Families or loved ones of those who struggle with addiction to opioids are also encouraged to have naloxone nearby.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using naloxone:

  • Naloxone is only effective if opioids are present in the body; therefore, it cannot be used to reverse an overdose caused by other drugs such as cocaine.
  • Naloxone is a temporary treatment that works to reverse an overdose in the body for only 30 to 90 minutes. Therefore, a person may still experience the effects of an overdose after the medication has worn off. This is why it’s important to call 911.
  • Multiple doses of naloxone may be needed for stronger opioids like fentanyl.
  • A person should be monitored constantly after naloxone is given and until emergency care arrives.

According to the New York City Department of Health, New Yorkers can get naloxone without a prescription at community programs throughout the City. A list of these programs can be found by visiting health.ny.gov/overdose or calling 311.  The agency also provides a list of participating pharmacies on its website, nyc.gov/health/map.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Reflections Treatment Program utilizes a holistic model to treat addiction. To learn more about our program or schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5078.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Flushing Hospital Offers Information About Opioid Overdose Kit

Earlier this month, United States Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams issued a national advisory encouraging more Americans to have access to, and carry the opioid overdose reversing drug Naloxone, which can save the life of someone overdosing on opioids.

This is the first Surgeon General advisory issued in more than a decade, which exemplifies how serious the opioid crisis is in the United States.  America’s top doctor stated that “the situation is all around us.” adding “knowing how to use Naloxone and keeping it within reach can save a life.”

The opioid epidemic has killed over 250,000 people over the past decade and the problem is growing. In fact, the number of Americans who died from an overdose has doubled from 21,000 in 2010 to over 42,000 in 2016. It is estimated that we lose 115 people in the United States every day to an opioid overdose, or one person every 12 ½ minutes.

The rise in opioid overdoses is largely attributed to an increase in prescription medications, heroin, and most notably synthetic drugs, such as Fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin.

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, can be administered either as an injection or as a nasal mist, and is currently carried by emergency medical technicians and police officers, but because over three quarters of the opioid overdoses occur outside of a medical setting, it is important to empower civilians to help. Dr. Adams believes making naloxone more available in communities across the country is critical to reducing overdose death and research has shown that when Naloxone and overdose education is available to the public, overdoses decrease.

What should remain clear is that making Naloxone readily available to the public is not intended to serve as a long-term treatment option. According to Dr. Seeth Vivek, Chairman of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center, “Critics need to understand that addiction is a chronic disease and they should look at this recommendation the same way they look at other life-saving measures, such as CPR training, the Heimlich maneuver, or access to an epi-pen to treat an allergic reaction.”  Administering Naloxone should be considered an emergency intervention to suspend the effects of an overdose, but it needs to be the bridge to long term services and support that can lead to a complete recovery.

Flushing Hospital offers both inpatient and outpatient addiction services programs. To learn more about our  Reflections outpatient program, please call 718-670-5078. To learn more about our inpatient Chemical Dependancy Unit, please call 718-670-5540.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.