Narcan

Generic Name: naloxone (nah LOX own)

Brand Names: Narcan

What is Narcan (naloxone)?

Naloxone is an special narcotic drug that reverses the effects of other narcotic medicines.

Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of narcotic drugs used during surgery or to treat pain.

Naloxone may also be used to treat narcotic drug overdose or to diagnose narcotic drug addiction.

Naloxone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Narcan (naloxone)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to naloxone.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.

Naloxone may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. If you are using any narcotic pain medication, the pain-relieving effects of the narcotic will be reversed while you are also receiving naloxone. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of naloxone.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using Narcan (naloxone)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to naloxone.

If possible before you receive naloxone, tell your doctor if you have:

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  heart disease;

  
  


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  seizures;

  
  


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  a history of head injury or brain tumor; or

  
  


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  a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether naloxone will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether naloxone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Narcan (naloxone)?

Naloxone is injected into a muscle or under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving naloxone. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with this medication.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive naloxone in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while using Narcan (naloxone)?

Naloxone may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of naloxone.

Narcan (naloxone) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeats;

  
  


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  dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;

  
  


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  sweating, severe nausea or vomiting;

  
  


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  severe headache, agitation, anxiety, confusion, ringing in your ears;

  
  


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  seizure (convulsions);

  
  


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  feeling like you might pass out; or

  
  


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  slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop).

  
  

If you are being treated for narcotic drug addiction, the expected symptoms of withdrawal would include:

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  feeling nervous, restless, or irritable;

  
  


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  body aches;

  
  


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  dizziness, weakness;

  
  


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  diarrhea, stomach pain, mild nausea;

  
  


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  fever, chills, goosebumps; or

  
  


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  sneezing, runny nose.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Narcan (naloxone)?

If you are using any narcotic pain medication, the pain-relieving effects of the narcotic will be reversed while you are also receiving naloxone.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutex);

  
  


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  methohexital (Brevital); or

  
  


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  narcotic pain medication such as codeine (Tylenol #3), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin, Vicoprofen), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic), methadone (Methadose, Dolophine), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), and many others.

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with naloxone. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Narcan resources

• Narcan Side Effects (in more detail)
• Narcan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Narcan Drug Interactions
• Narcan Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Narcan - Add your own review/rating

• Narcan Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Narcan Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Narcan MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Naloxone Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Narcan with other medications

• Opioid Overdose

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about naloxone.

See also: Narcan side effects (in more detail)