What is Narcan Used For?

What is Narcan Used For?

• Mandy Sandhu
• 8 Oct 2024

OTC Narcan, or over-the-counter Narcan, is an essential tool to reverse the effects of overdoses and make communities safer. At Freedom From Addiction, our mission is to help people with substance abuse disorders relearn the skills they need to cope with stressors and avoid relapse in the future. One of the tools easily accessible to anyone needing help with opioid use disorder or withdrawal symptoms is OTC Narcan.

What is Narcan? 

Narcan is a nasal spray form of naloxone hydrochloride, an opioid antagonist. It’s a tool anyone can use to counter the effects of an opioid overdose. 

Narcan naloxone nasal spray is absorbed through the nose and takes effect in two to three minutes. It’s a much faster application method than the injectable option administered through a needle to the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks, and takes three to five minutes.

Nasal sprays require a higher dose (2mg/ml) to match plasma levels. Intramuscular injectables, on the other hand, are available in 0.4mg/ml and 1 mg/ml strengths.

How Does OTC Narcan Work? 

Opioids are attracted to the brain’s opioid receptors, but naloxone overrides these receptors and temporarily reverses opioid overdose effects. When a Narcan nasal spray device is administered, it helps a person breathe properly and possibly regain consciousness. 

An overdose slows breathing drastically and can lead to an unconscious state. OTC Narcan restores normal breathing, helps the person return to consciousness, and prevents death and brain damage due to oxygen loss. Generic naloxone is effective for 30 to 90 minutes.

However, it’s not a substitute for professional medical care. It’s a tool to reverse opioid overdose until medical attention can be attained. Narcan doesn’t last as long as opioids, so once naloxone wears off, the overdose can continue.

When is Narcan Used? 

OTC Narcan is used when an opioid overdose is suspected. Morphine, oxycodone, methadone, heroin, and fentanyl can cause deadly overdoses. It’s important to have OTC Narcan if you, or someone around you, are likely to overdose and show signs of an opioid overdose. It’s safe for all ages, and it’s safe to administer naloxone, whether opioids are in your system or not.

Ideally, this treatment is administered only when opioids are present in a person’s system. However, it’s important to note that it poses no risk if there’s a suspicion of overdose without confirmed occurrence. It’s not susceptible to misuse, and individuals can’t develop a dependence.

Image source: Unsplash

The Benefits of OTC Narcan 

Narcan naloxone has plenty of benefits. It’s safe for anyone and can’t be misused. Here are a few examples below.

Increased Accessibility 

Over the years, Narcan has become increasingly accessible to Canadians. As opioid overdoses have become more problematic, naloxone programs have been implemented to help keep Canadians safe. Narcan is accessible without a prescription to most Canadians (depending on the province/territory), for quick opioid overdose intervention.

Life-Saving Potential 

Narcan allows Canadians to safely administer this life-saving formula to anyone experiencing an overdose. They can wait safely for medical help without fearing long-term health problems or death.

Public Health Impact 

A wider availability of OTC Narcan can impact the number of opioid-related deaths. It gives people the tools and instructions to act in an emergency and save a life. Narcan has become more accessible, which increases safety for Canadians and communities with higher rates of opioid-related deaths.

Community Empowerment 

Accessible OTC Narcan increases community empowerment. People will be better equipped to handle an opioid emergency, helping the person recover promptly, and thus reducing the burden on subsequent medical services.

Widespread Availability 

Increased availability means people are more likely to have naloxone injectables or Narcan nasal sprays when needed. Since you don’t need to be a medical professional to carry and administer naloxone, anyone can help when the time comes. 

The irreversible impacts of an untreated overdose happen quickly. If someone is nearby with a Narcan kit, these impacts can be stalled and a life can be saved.

OTC Narcan Availability Across Canada 

In Canada, OTC Narcan is available in every province and territory to a certain degree. Consult this list to determine how you can access OCT Narcan, depending on where you live:

Ontario	Only nasal options are available for free at most pharmacies.
British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba	Narcan is free and available at most pharmacies.
Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia	Narcan is available and free to someone at risk, around others at risk, or likely to respond to an opioid emergency.
New Brunswick	This province requires government-provided training and a certificate to receive OTC Narcan for free. Otherwise, it’s available for purchase to someone at risk, around others at risk, or likely to respond to an opioid emergency.
Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon	Narcan is available for free to someone at risk, around others at risk, or likely to respond to an opioid emergency. Otherwise, OTC Narcan is available for anyone to purchase.
Quebec	Anyone over the age of 14 has access to OTC Narcan.
Nunavut	Free injectables are available for those considered at risk. However, OTC Narcan isn’t available to purchase at pharmacies, only at naloxone distribution sites.
Northwest Territories	Narcan is free and available to anyone.

 

Image source: Canva

How to Administer OTC Narcan 

Before anything, you must know the signs of opioid overdose:

• No movement or a person that can’t be woken
• Slow or absent breathing
• Blue lips and nails
• Choking, gurgling, or snoring
• Cold or clammy skin
• Tiny pupils

If an opioid overdose is suspected, do the following:

1. Call 911
2. Follow the SAVE ME protocol
   1. Stimulate: determine the person’s responsiveness
   2. Airway: ensure it’s open
   3. Ventilate: help them take one breath every five seconds
   4. Evaluate: determine if the person is breathing
   5. Medication: administer one dose of OTC Narcan
   6. Evaluate and support: wait five minutes. If nothing has changed, administer another dose of naloxone. Wait for first responders.
3. If the person begins breathing on their own or must be left unattended, place them in the recovery position: on their side, a hand under their head for support, and the top leg over the bottom to prevent them from rolling onto their stomach.

Image source: Canva

Are You at Risk of Opioid Overdoses? 

An overdose indicates that an individual may be struggling with a substance use disorder and requires additional support following their recovery. Help prevent relapses and the dangers of drugs with comprehensive concurrent treatments at Freedom From Addiction. Reach out for help now.