Written By The opioid epidemic has been a devastating and widespread issue for years, affecting countless families and communities across the United States. One tool that has emerged as a potential lifesaver is Narcan, also known as naloxone. Despite its effectiveness in reversing opioid overdoses, there are still many misconceptions surrounding this life-saving medication. In this blog post, we’ll be breaking down some of these myths and providing answers to common questions about Narcan – so you can better understand how it works and why it’s so important in the fight against opioid addiction.
What is Narcan?
Narcan is a lifesaving opiate overdose antidote that’s available through many pharmacies. Narcan is not a narcotic, but is an agonist-antagonist drug that blocks the effects of opioids, including pain relief and euphoria. When used in an emergency situation, Narcan can help revive someone who has overdosed on opioids. Narcan does not work for people who are using methadone or buprenorphine.
How Does Narcan Work?
Narcan is a drug that effectively reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It’s a nasal spray that can be administered quickly and easily. Narcan is FDA-approved for the treatment of opioid overdoses and has been credited with saving countless lives.
How does Narcan work?
When Narcan is sprayed into someone’s nose, it quickly binds to opioids in their system and blocks their receptors from absorbing more opioids. This allows the person to start recovering from an overdose faster, potentially saving his or her life.
What are some common misconceptions about Narcan?
1) That Narcan will instantly revive someone from an overdose – this isn’t always the case. While Narcan may help speed up the recovery process, it’s still important for people to receive emergency medical assistance as quickly as possible after being exposed to an opioid overdose.
2) That Narcan only works on opioids – this isn’t true. While Narcan is specifically designed to neutralize the effects of opioids, it can also be effective against other types of drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamines.
What are the Side Effects of Narcan?
There are a few potential side effects of narcan, but they are generally mild and short-lived. The most common side effects include drowsiness and nausea, which can last up to an hour after taking the drug. In rare cases, people may experience seizures or heart problems.
Can I Get Narcan If I’m Unconscious or Injured?
Narcan is a prescription medication that can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Narcan is available as a nasal spray or injection. There are several misconceptions about Narcan that need to be cleared up.
1. Narcan only works if you’re conscious and breathing.
This is not true! Narcan can work even if you’re unconscious or in respiratory distress. In fact, studies have shown that using Narcan saves lives by reversing an opioid overdose.
2. Narcan will only save someone who has overdosed on opioids.
This is also not true! Narcan can help anyone who has an opioid overdose, including people who have never taken opioids before. In fact, one study found that using Narcan reduced the risk of death by 50 percent in people who had an opioid overdose.
Who Should Carry Narcan and When?
In the US, the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends that those at risk for opioid overdose carry naloxone (Narcan), a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose. NIDA also recommends that people who regularly work with opioids carry naloxone in case of an emergency.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) also urges doctors to prescribe naloxone as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing addiction and overdose. Narcan is not addictive, and it is not associated with any serious side effects.
Some people wrongly believe that only those with life-threatening conditions should carry naloxone. In fact, anyone at risk for opioid overdose should consider carrying naloxone, including family members and friends of someone who uses opioids.
What Needs to Be Done if Someone Receives Narcan?
If someone is experiencing an overdose, the first step is to call 911. Narcan can be administered in order to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and save the person’s life. However, there are some misconceptions about narcan that need to be cleared up.
First, it is important to note that narcan does not work on all opioids. It only works on opioids that are found in prescription medications or illegal drugs like heroin.
Second, narcan is not a cure for an opioid overdose. It only helps to stop the overdose from progressing further and potentially causing death.
Third, it is important to know that even if someone receives Narcan, they may still experience side effects like agitation, confusion, or low blood pressure.
Conclusion
Narcan is one of the most life-saving medications out there, and it’s important that everyone has the facts about it so they can make informed decisions about whether or not to take it. In this article, we will dispel some of the myths surrounding narcan and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how it works. We hope that this information will help you make an informed decision about whether or not to carry Narcan around with you in case of an emergency.
