What Happens If You Give Someone Narcan Who Doesn’t Need It?

What Happens If You Give Someone Narcan Who Doesn’t Need It?

• Mandy Sandhu
• 26 Feb 2025

Narcan (Naloxone) is safe to use—even if opioids aren’t present in the person’s bloodstream. 

This is vital because if an opioid overdose is suspected, Narcan can reverse potentially fatal effects within minutes, making it a critical first-aid tool. If you administer Narcan to somebody unconscious/unresponsive (for an unknown reason), you can rest assured that no ill effects will arise as a result if they aren’t overdosing. 

Due to the ongoing opioid crisis in Canada, understanding what Narcan is and how to administer it can be life-saving information. If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, know that treatment is possible and help is available.

What is Narcan Used For? 

Narcan is a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdose. It works quickly by blocking the effects of opioids, restoring normal breathing in individuals experiencing overdose symptoms. Common prescription opioids and illegal substances classified as opioids include the following:

• Heroin;
• Fentanyl;
• Morphine;
• Oxycodone; and
• Hydrocodone.

Narcan is commonly administered by emergency responders, healthcare professionals, and even bystanders trained in its use. Available as a nasal spray or injection, it is a crucial tool in combating the opioid crisis. Narcan does not work on non-opioid drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, methamphetamine, cocaine or cannabis. However, concerns arise about what happens if you give someone Narcan who doesn’t need it.

How Does Narcan Work?

Narcan functions as an opioid antagonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors in the brain, effectively displacing opioids and stopping their effects. This restores normal breathing in individuals experiencing respiratory depression due to an overdose.

As we already mentioned, if opioids are NOT present, Narcan simply has no effect.

However, if opioids ARE present, this is where Narcan works to block their action (and potentially save a life). People in this state may experience onset symptoms of opioid withdrawal, especially if they’re opioid-dependent. Symptoms of this include nausea, sweating and agitation, just to name a few. 

It’s important to note that Narcan is non-addictive, non-psychoactive, and has a short duration of action (30-90 minutes), making it very safe for emergency medical use.

Image source: Canva

Narcan Side Effects When Not Needed

For individuals without opioids in their system, Narcan poses no significant side effects. In rare cases, allergic reactions may occur—but this risk comes with any medication or substance. 

For those with opioids in their bloodstream, Narcan can initiate withdrawal symptoms. These can include: 

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramps and diarrhea
• Sweating and chills
• Rapid heart rate and agitation
• Anxiety and restlessness

Unlike opioids, Narcan has no addictive properties and does not produce a high. Concerns about Narcan side effects when not needed are minimal, as the medication only affects individuals with opioids in their system. However, its unnecessary use should still be avoided unless medically required.

How to Recognize an Opioid Overdose

Recognizing an opioid overdose can be challenging, but crucial for timely intervention. Knowing what to look for can help distinguish between other conditions or symptoms of substance abuse. Here are some common indicators and warning signs of an opioid overdose:

• Unresponsiveness or inability to wake up
• Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
• Blue or purple lips, skin, or nails
• Pinpoint pupils
• Slow heart rate or low blood pressure
• Choking or gurgling sounds

Not sure whether or not somebody is experiencing opioid overdose? The first step is recognizing the signs, however, if someone is unconscious and not waking up, it’s critical to act fast. Administering Narcan is safe for a suspected opioid overdose, as long as you feel comfortable using Narcan nasal spray. This medication has a user manual; if unsure, speak with a medical professional about proper use.

How is Narcan Administered?

Now that you understand the benefits of Narcan and how to recognize overdose symptoms, you must know the specifics of Narcan administration. Knowing what to do during an opioid overdose could save someone’s life.

The most common OTC Narcan is a Naloxone hydrochloride spray or nasal spray. It’s simple to use and designed for both emergency medical professionals and untrained bystanders.

Follow these steps in case of an emergency:

1. Check for signs of overdose: Unresponsiveness, irregular breathing, blue lips, and/or pinpoint pupils. Attempt to wake the person up; shout and gently shake them.
2. Lay the person on their back: Tilt their head back slightly to open the airway.
3. Administer Narcan: Spray into one nostril (for nasal spray option) OR inject into muscle in the arm or thigh.
4. Call emergency services: Even if the person wakes up, they need urgent medical care. If you notice the person has stopped breathing, you may be encouraged to attempt chest compressions. You may also be instructed to put the individual in the recovery position if they are breathing/responsive. 
5. Monitor and repeat if necessary: If no response occurs within 2-3 minutes, administer a second dose. Communicate any changes or vital information with emergency responders when they arrive, including when you administered the dose(s).

Image source: Canva

Why People Are Encouraged to Carry Narcan

Public health officials strongly encourage carrying Narcan due to its ability to prevent fatal overdoses. The increase in opioid use disorder has led to greater accessibility of Narcan across the country.

Free Naloxone kits are available at many Ontario pharmacies and community health centres. You can check with your local health unit or visit Ontario’s Naloxone Program for more information. Since it is safe and has minimal side effects on those without opioids in their system, there is little downside to having it on hand.

Legal protections, like the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act in Canada, ensure individuals administering Narcan are protected from legal consequences. Even if you’re unsure whether someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, administering Narcan is a low-risk way to potentially save their life if they are unresponsive and drug involvement is suspected.

Drug and opioid overdoses occur in communities around Canada every day. Here are some key statistics that underscore the importance of Narcan availability for medical treatment:

• High Death Toll – Over 49,000 opioid overdose deaths were reported in Canada from 2016 to mid-2024, with fentanyl involved in 79% of cases in 2024. Carrying Narcan can help prevent fatalities.
• Geographic Hotspots – The majority (84%) of opioid-related deaths occur in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, making Narcan especially important in these regions.
• Fentanyl Crisis – The presence of fentanyl in opioid-related hospitalizations has more than doubled (106%) since 2018, making overdoses more dangerous and Narcan more essential.
• Drug Combination with Stimulants – 65% of opioid deaths and 46% of stimulant-related hospitalizations involved both drugs. Narcan can still be life-saving even when other substances are present.

For those who need help, there is hope. Getting someone into rehab and seeing them recover is possible through professional medical attention and intervention. Fentanyl detox at an opioid treatment center like Freedom from Addiction is a great place to start.

How Freedom from Addiction Can Help

Opioid addiction can feel overwhelming, but recovery is possible with the right support. At Freedom from Addiction, individuals and families have access to comprehensive opioid addiction and rehabilitation services as well as opioid withdrawal management programs designed to foster lasting recovery.

Freedom from Addiction offers:

• Personalized Treatment Plans: Tailored approaches to meet each individual’s unique needs, ensuring the best chance for success.
• Support for Families: Addiction impacts more than just the individual; family counselling and education are available to help loved ones navigate this journey.
• A Safe and Nurturing Environment: Their state-of-the-art facility offers a welcoming and compassionate atmosphere, encouraging healing and growth.

Don’t wait until a medical emergency occurs to seek help for yourself or your loved one. Contact our team today to learn more about our tailored addiction recovery plans. We look forward to supporting you on your journey.

FAQs About Narcan Administration