Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is safe, effective, and in most U.S. states available without a prescription. CDC recommends that anyone at increased risk of an opioid overdose — and the people around them — have naloxone available and know how to use it. [1]
If someone you love uses opioids — whether prescribed or not — this page is for you.
Quick Answer
Naloxone (brand names include Narcan and Kloxxado) temporarily reverses opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors. It works within minutes. It is not a substitute for emergency services — always call 911 first. Naloxone is widely available at pharmacies without a prescription in most states.
What Is Naloxone?
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist — meaning it binds to opioid receptors without activating them, and in doing so, it displaces opioids from those receptors and temporarily reverses their effects. It can reverse respiratory depression (the main cause of death in overdose) within 2–5 minutes.
Naloxone has no effect on someone who has not taken opioids. It cannot be abused. It does not produce euphoria. In a person who is physically opioid-dependent, administering naloxone will trigger rapid, intense withdrawal — which is uncomfortable but not life-threatening.
Important limitation: Naloxone wears off in 30–90 minutes. Many opioids — and especially fentanyl — last longer in the body than naloxone does. A person can relapse into overdose after naloxone wears off. This is why calling 911 is always the first step, not an optional one.
Who Should Have Naloxone?
CDC recommends naloxone access for: [1]
- People who use opioids, whether prescribed or illicit
- Household members and close contacts of people who use opioids
- People who have recently been released from incarceration (where tolerance resets)
- People in early recovery from OUD (tolerance is low, risk on return to use is high)
- Households with children where prescription opioids are stored
- Anyone working in environments where opioid use occurs
Having naloxone does not encourage opioid use. It saves lives.
How to Recognize an Opioid Overdose
Signs that someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose:
- Will not wake up or respond to voice or touch
- Breathing is slow, shallow, or has stopped
- Making gurgling or choking sounds
- Lips, fingertips, or skin are turning blue, gray, or pale
- Pupils are very small (pinpoint) even in low light
- Body is limp
If you are unsure whether someone is asleep or overdosing: Try to rouse them with a firm sternal rub (knuckles on the breastbone). If they do not respond, treat it as an overdose.
How to Administer Naloxone
Nasal Spray (Narcan, Kloxxado)
The most common formulation for bystander use. No needles, no assembly required in most cases.
- Call 911 first. Do this before or while administering naloxone.
- Lay the person on their back. Tilt their head back slightly to open the airway.
- Insert the nozzle into one nostril and press the plunger firmly.
- Wait 2–3 minutes. If there is no response, administer a second dose into the other nostril.
- Place in the recovery position (on their side) to prevent choking if they vomit.
- Stay with them until emergency services arrive. Naloxone wears off. They may need another dose.
Injectable Naloxone
Injectable formulations (vials or auto-injectors) are also available. These require drawing up the medication and injecting into muscle (thigh or upper arm). If you have an injectable kit, it will include instructions. Follow the enclosed instructions exactly.
What Happens After Naloxone Is Given
When naloxone works, the person may:
- Wake up suddenly and feel confused or agitated
- Experience immediate withdrawal symptoms (sweating, agitation, nausea) — this is expected
- Try to use opioids again to relieve withdrawal; do not leave them alone
If the person becomes aggressive after naloxone, this is because they are in acute precipitated withdrawal — not because of the naloxone itself. Stay calm, explain what happened, and wait for emergency services.
Never leave someone alone after naloxone administration. Naloxone wears off before most opioids do. The person can re-enter overdose after it wears off.
Storage and Expiration
- Store naloxone at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight
- Check the expiration date periodically
- Keep it somewhere accessible — not locked away where it cannot be reached quickly in an emergency
- Make sure other people in the household know where it is and how to use it
Where to Get Naloxone
- Pharmacies: In most U.S. states, naloxone is available without a prescription at major pharmacy chains (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart, etc.). Ask the pharmacist.
- Community programs: Many harm-reduction organizations distribute naloxone for free, often with training.
- NEXT Distro / National programs: Some states offer naloxone by mail. Check your state’s health department website.
- Healthcare providers: Ask your doctor or any prescribing clinician for a naloxone prescription if you or someone you care for uses opioids.
- FindTreatment.gov: findtreatment.gov can help locate naloxone access points near you.
Talking to Your Family About Naloxone
Having naloxone at home does not mean you endorse or encourage opioid use. It means you value life. Consider these conversation starters:
- “I want us to be prepared in case of an emergency — just like having a fire extinguisher or a first-aid kit.”
- “Naloxone can’t hurt anyone. If it turns out it’s not needed, nothing happens. If it’s needed, it saves a life.”
- “I want everyone in the house to know how to use it, in case something ever happens.”
Common Questions
Is naloxone safe to give to someone who didn't actually overdose?
Yes, with one caveat. If the person did not have opioids in their system, naloxone will have no effect. If they did have opioids, it will reverse the overdose. The only risk of administering naloxone to someone who is opioid-dependent but not overdosing is that it will precipitate withdrawal symptoms — which are unpleasant but not dangerous.
Can naloxone be given to children?
Yes. Naloxone can be administered to children. The dose is the same as for adults with nasal spray formulations. If a child has ingested opioids (including from a caregiver’s prescription), treat it as an overdose, call 911, and administer naloxone.
Does naloxone treat opioid use disorder?
No. Naloxone is an emergency overdose reversal tool only. It does not address the underlying opioid use disorder. Medications for OUD (buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone) are the FDA-approved treatments for OUD itself. See: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).
Key Takeaways
- Naloxone reverses opioid overdose within minutes and is safe for bystander use.
- CDC recommends naloxone for anyone at increased risk and their households.
- Always call 911 first — naloxone is not a substitute for emergency services.
- Multiple doses may be needed, especially with fentanyl.
- Naloxone wears off in 30–90 minutes. The person must be monitored until emergency help arrives.
- Naloxone is available without a prescription at most pharmacies in the U.S.
- Having naloxone does not encourage drug use. It saves lives.
Related Resources
Sources
- CDC. Naloxone for Opioid Overdose Prevention. CDC.gov
- SAMHSA. Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit. SAMHSA.gov
- CDC. Evidence-Based Overdose Prevention Strategies. CDC.gov
This page provides general public-health education. In any emergency, call 911. This is not a substitute for hands-on training in overdose response.
