Understanding Narcan Side Effects: What Happens When You Give Someone Narcan Who Doesn’t Need It?

Understanding Narcan Side Effects: What Happens When You Give Someone Narcan Who Doesn’t Need It?

• Mandy Sandhu
• 20 Jan 2020

The opioid crisis in Canada has reached an all-time high, affecting thousands of people across the country as well as their loved ones. Opioids are incredibly addictive and can lead to death if abused. But mostly, it’s ignorance that kills the person – not knowing the first aid, not knowing how to use it or what it does, and not knowing how to get help. As we all know opioid overdose is a medical emergency and it requires immediate medical attention to avoid further complications.

There are measures you can take to help someone who overdoses on opioids and is in a life-threatening condition, such as Narcan. But what if you wrongly gave Narcan to someone who didn’t need it? The use of Narcan can be life-saving, but it’s also important to be aware of any Narcan side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and blood pressure fluctuations, particularly when it’s administered unnecessarily.

What is Narcan?

Narcan (also commonly known as Naloxone) is an opioid antagonist. It’s a pharmaceutical drug that blocks the prompt effect of pain-relieving opioids and other highly addictive illegal substances like heroin or prescribed ones like morphine. Narcan is admitted in emergency situations to reverse an overdose and potentially save a patient. It immediately relieves the overdose symptoms.

Narcan Naloxone is a fast-acting agent that is made available and affordable for everyone for safety. It can almost reverse the overdose caused by various addictive substances, even synthetic ones like heroin and fentanyl, that are usually indulged by drug addicts. However, it can’t reverse the damage done by some of the drugs caused by cocaine or benzodiazepine medications.

If administered properly and quickly, Narcan can save an overdosed patient as soon as possible. It’s dangerous if you don’t know when the person is experiencing an opioid overdose – it can result in death. To save a life and get help before it happens, look out for these opioid withdrawal symptoms:

• Unusual sleepiness or unresponsive even if called or shook
• Abnormal, slow, or no breathing paces
• Slow or abnormal pulse and low blood pressure
• Bluish to purplish nails or lips
• Reduced pupil size commonly known as pinpoint pupils

How is Narcan Administered?

Narcan Naloxone comes in different packages – one is a nasal spray and the other is an injectable cure that can be injected into the muscle, under the skin, or directly in the vein. Only trained healthcare professional can administer the Narcan through an IV. Narcan administration may cause opioid withdrawal in some cases, causing discomfort or distress. In order to administer Narcan, here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Ensure that the victim lies flat on their back and tilts the head gently and slightly.
2. Check for a slow pulse, abnormal breathing, and unresponsiveness to calling or contact. It’s possible for some people to have an allergic reaction to Narcan.
3. Spray the nasal spray into one of the nostrils in one gentle squeeze.
4. After spraying, contact the emergency team then wait for two to three minutes.
5. When the victim doesn’t stir or doesn’t respond to the first spray, spray again in the other nostril.
6. The victim is expected to wake up within a few minutes, but Narcan only works for a maximum of 90 minutes. This should be enough time for the emergency team to arrive and do the proper procedures. This is only for first aid purposes to reverse opioid overdose.

Narcan Side Effects

There are possible side effects when Narcan is used to reverse opioid overdoses, especially for people who just woke up after being administered the Narcan treatment. Narcan Naloxone rarely causes side effects, but some people may experience allergic reactions. Here are the commonly reported Narcan side effects.

• Nausea and constant vomiting
• Abdominal pains and diarrhea
• Fever and sweating
• Body aches and unusual muscle tenderness
• Palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Anxiety and fidgeting
• Shivering and tremors

When used by opioid-dependent individuals, Narcan may produce withdrawal symptoms such as agitation and restlessness. Knowing these side effects can help caregivers and healthcare professionals manage the situation effectively. Additionally, it is important to be aware of potential drug interactions that can influence Narcan side effects. There’s no need to worry if these happen, just ensure that you’re able to get help after administering it. It’s crucial that you get help as soon as possible before the Narcan wears off.

Where can you get Narcan?

Narcan is available for emergency medical teams and police dispatch, but you can also get it from your pharmacies with or without a prescription. Sometimes it’s given by health departments. The price varies depending on your area, what kind of Narcan you want to get, and where you get it, but it’s usually affordable. It’s ideal for untrained family members to get the auto-injectable and nasal spray ones.

What Happens to a Person Who Doesn’t Need Narcan?

Narcan is known to reverse an opioid overdose, but when someone accidentally gets Narcan without the overdose, there’s nothing to worry about. Narcan has no effect or side effect on people who have no opioid drugs in their system. It’s a safe drug that’s only effective when administered properly on the correct victim.

However, Narcan is not a treatment for drug addictions as well – you need proper rehabilitation centres for that. Addiction Centre Toronto area is known for its well-equipped centres to administer proper care and treatments for people who suffer from addictions.

Treating Opioid Addiction & Overdose

Narcan is a safe drug that doesn’t harm anyone, and it can give temporary results for overdose. However, this doesn’t mean it’s a cure for long-term addictions. There are various medical treatments you can get after acknowledging there is an addiction to opioid use. It’s important that family members and close friends are supportive throughout the treatment.

The ideal way is to find the best rehabilitation centre that gives the best care, nurturing environment and refreshing surroundings. It’s also important to treat them as a person and not as a patient, which will help them recover faster and be ready for the outside when the time comes. While there are medical professionals expected to care for them for their entire duration inside the rehabilitation centre, their homes should also be a nurturing place for them when they get home.

Opioid Addiction Treatment Centre

Addiction centres in Toronto and the surrounding area, such as Freedom From Addiction, have various resources that can help individuals struggling with opioid addiction. For more information on how we can help, contact us today.