Naloxone
Also sold as: Narcan
Prescription neededEmergency and antidotes
Comes as:InjectionNose spray
Usual adult dose
Opioid overdose (heroin, morphine, tramadol and others): 0.4 mg by injection, or 4 mg nasal spray; repeat every 2 to 3 minutes if needed. Call for emergency help — its effect wears off sooner than many opioids, so the person must be watched.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- sudden withdrawal in people who use opioids (sweating
- vomiting
- shaking
- agitation)
- fast heartbeat
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- seizures
- very high blood pressure
- fluid in the lungs (rare)
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Allergy to naloxone
- People dependent on opioids (it causes sudden withdrawal, but still give it in an overdose)
- Heart disease (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious1 medicineDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Morphine
Naloxone reverses the effects of morphine, including pain relief.
Moderate1 medicineTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Tramadol
Naloxone reverses tramadol only partly; seizures from tramadol may still occur.