Naloxone Narcan Administration Reversing the Effects of an

Naloxone (Narcan) Administration Reversing the Effects of an Overdose Jennifer Goulet, AS-CHW/RC March 2020

Overview • What is Naloxone • How to Identify an Opioid/Opiate Overdose • Necessary Steps • Proper Naloxone Administration • Rescue Breathing • Naloxone Storage • Where to get Naloxone

What is Naloxone? • Known by the brand name Narcan • It comes in different forms, including two types of nasal sprays and an injectable form • It is most commonly distributed as a nasal spray • Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of an Opioid/Opiate overdose • Naloxone is not known to have harmful side effects caused by use

How to Identify an Opioid/Opiate Overdose Loss of consciousness Unresponsive to outside stimulus Awake, but unable to talk Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped • For lighter skinned people, the skin tone turns bluish purple, for darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen. • •

How to Identify an Opioid/Opiate Overdose: Continued • Choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise (sometimes called the “death rattle”) • Vomiting • Body is very limp • Face is very pale or clammy • Fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black • Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic, or not there at all

• Call 9 -1 -1 Necessary Steps • Call 9 -1 -1 immediately and get medical help, stay on the line until help arrives • Give First Dose of Naloxone • Position Overdose Victim on Side in the Recovery Position • Recovery position is on their side, hand under head for support and one knee bent to prevent rolling

Necessary Steps: Continued • Watch the Person Closely • If the person does not respond by waking up, to voice, touch or breathing normally, give a second dose of Naloxone • Naloxone can be given every 2 -3 minutes if available • Give rescue breathing if the person is not breathing

Proper Naloxone Administration • Call 9 -1 -1 First • Be sure that you are safe, notice your surroundings • Remove Naloxone from the sterile packaging, there are two doses included in the kit and each dose is 4 mg • Hold Naloxone with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle • Your fingers will act as a buffer for administering the naloxone nasally • Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into either nostril • Tilt the person’s head back and provide support under the neck with your free hand • Press the plunger firmly • Remove Naloxone nasal spray after giving the dose and discard

How To Give Rescue Breathing Place your ear above the victim's mouth and nose. Watch for signs of breathing. Gasping is not breathing. If the victim isn't breathing, start Rescue Breathing. Use a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) barrier mask if one is available. • Pinch the person’s nose to close nostrils, keeping the airway open by the head-tilt, chin-lift. • Take a deep breath and seal your lips around the outside of the victim's mouth, preferably with a CPR barrier mask, creating an airtight seal.

How To Give Rescue Breathing: Continued • Give the victim 2 full breaths (1 second each), taking your lips off the victim's mouth to inhale between each breath. • Check for chest rising and falling with each breath you give. The rising of the chest during your exhalations indicates the effectiveness of your breaths. • Continue Rescue Breathing until an automated external defibrillator (AED) is applied, the person starts to move, help arrives, or until you can no longer continue.

Narcan Considerations: What You Need to Know • Storage: Store Narcan at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. Ideal temperature is between 59° and 77° F. Do not leave Narcan in a vehicle! • When to get a new kit: • When close to the expiration date (every 2 years) • If the kit is lost • If you have used one of the two doses

Where to get Naloxone For Naloxone, Contact The Doorways: 2 -1 -1 • The Doorway at AVH: 603 -3425000 • The Doorway at LRH: 603 -259 -1659

Questions? Please, Call Ask. PETRA: 603 -259 -1729