Individuals with friends and family who use opioids, especially with those with a history of opioid misuse or addiction should consider carrying naloxone. Individuals who are also in recovery from opioid use disorder or have a history of opioid use should consider carrying naloxone.

Signs and symptoms of opioid overdose include:

Extreme drowsiness or unconsciousness, limp body, pinpoint pupils, confusion or disorientation, slow/shallow breathing, and gurgling/snoring sounds.

Naloxone should be administered if:

You witness a person collapse, the individual is breathing slow or shallow, when pupils are pinpoint, if someone is unresponsive, or any combination of opioid overdose signs.

Some side effects include:

Agitation, nausea/vomiting, sweating, muscle aches or pain, and withdrawal symptoms.

Side effects are usually short lived due to naloxone's short duration of action

Naloxone works as an opioid receptor antagonist, which means it binds to opioid receptors in the brain that are responsible for mediating the effects opioids. The whole process is rapid, often within minutes of inhalation and results in naloxone rapidly reversing the effects of opioid in the body. Naloxone has a short duration of action and while it rapidly reverses opioid effects, it may wear off before the opioids are completely eliminated from the person's system. Thus, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention after administering naloxone, as the risk of overdose recurrence remains.

In the event of an opioid overdose, check to see if the individual is unresponsive or showing signs of an opioid overdose. Proceed to call 911 if you have not already to request immediate medical assistance.

To prepare the naloxone nasal spray, start by removing the naloxone nasal spray from it's packaging and attach the nasal atomizer (spray tip) to the pre-filled naloxone syringe if it's not already attached. Lay the individual on their back if they are not already in that position and tilt their head back slightly to open the airway. To administer, gently insert the nasal spray tip into one nostril, aiming it toward the back and outer wall of the nostril. Push the plunger to release the naloxone spray. Administer half of the naloxone dose in one nostril and the other half in the other nostril.

It can take a few minutes for naloxone to take effect, therefore, stay with the individual and continue to monitor their breathing and vital signs and observe for any response.

Yes, naloxone has an expiration date, and it should be periodically checked and replaced if it has expired. Expired naloxone may be less effective or ineffective at reversing opioid overdose.