Naloxone – what it is, what it is for and side effects!

Naloxone blocks or reverses the effects of opioid medication, including extreme drowsiness , slow breathing, or loss of consciousness. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Naloxone is used to treat a narcotics overdose in an emergency situation. This medication should not be used in place of emergency medical care for an overdose. Naloxone is also used to help diagnose whether a person has overdosed on an opioid.

What is  Naloxone  :

Naloxone , or Narcan, is used by first responders across the country to save lives when someone overdoses on opiates like heroin or prescription pills . Naloxone is an overdose reversal drug, but it is not an addiction treatment.

Furthermore, this fact is often misunderstood: many people mistake it as a treatment for opiate addiction. Instead, it’s more like a defibrillator jumping to start the heart after a heart attack.

When people only use after an overdose without treatment, they are very likely to continue using opiates and are at high risk of overdose again.

Important Information About Naloxone:

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible, before being treated, to inform your care providers about your health problems or whether you are pregnant  or breastfeeding. Also, make sure that any doctor who cares for you knows that you have been given naloxone .

Drinking alcohol can increase some side effects. Naloxone can impair your thinking or reactions. Also, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. If you are using any narcotic pain medication , the effects of the narcotic will be reversed while you are also receiving it.

Naloxone precautions:

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic. Also, if possible, before receiving an injection of B, tell your doctor if you have heart disease . It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant . It is not known if it passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible to inform your caregivers if you are pregnant  or breastfeeding. Make sure any doctor who is looking after your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received .

Naloxone care?

It is injected into a muscle, under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. The injection may be given by a healthcare professional, an emergency medical provider, or a family member or caregiver trained to properly administer an injection .

If you are a caregiver or family member giving a naloxone injection , read all instructions when you first take this medication. If provided, use the “trainer” device to practice the injection so you will know how to do it in an emergency. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Make sure you know how to recognize the signs of an opiate overdose in the person you are caring for. Symptoms of  naloxone overdose can include:

• Slow breathing, or no breathing;
• Very small or punctuated pupils in the eyes;
• Slow heartbeat;
• Extreme drowsiness , especially if you are unable to wake the person from sleep .

 What Happens if I Miss a Dose of Naloxone?

As you will receive it in an emergency situation, you will likely not miss a dose.

What to Avoid When Using Naloxone:

Avoid leaving a person alone after giving them an injection . An overdose can impair a person’s thinking or reactions.

Naloxone side effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives ; breathing difficulty; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat . Since naloxone reverses the effects of opiates, this medication can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Also, nausea , vomiting, diarrhea , stomach pain ;
• Fever, sweating, body aches , weakness ;
• Also, tremors or tremors, rapid heart rate, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure ;
• Feeling nervous, restless or irritable;
• Also, chills, tremors;
• Coryza , yawning;
• Also, (in babies under 4 weeks of age) seizures , crying, stiffness, overactive reflexes.

Drug that Affected Naloxone?

Other drugs can interact with , including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Also, tell each of your healthcare professionals about all the medications you use now and any medications you start or stop using.

Other information:

Remember, keep and all other medications out of the reach of children, never share your medications with others, and use naloxone only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your physician to ensure that the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.