What are opioids?

The term ‘Opioids’ includes illicit drugs such as heroin as well as prescription pain medications like oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lorcet/Lortab), fentanyl, hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and morphine (MS Contin). Buprenorphine (Suboxone) and methadone are opioids that are often used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). While some opioids can be injected and others are taken in pill form, they all act on the brain in the same way and all of them can cause an overdose.

What is an opioid overdose?

Opioids stop a person from breathing normally.  People who overdose become sleepy or comatose, then breathing slows and can completely stop. When the brain and body can’t get enough oxygen, injury and death follow. An overdose can happen minutes or hours after using opioids. 

The risk of overdosing on opioids is significantly increased when opioids are mixed with alcohol, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, gabapentin and other sedating medications. People with heart, lung, liver or kidney problems are also at increased risk of overdose. Overdose becomes more likely at higher doses of opioids, but every individual is different, and taking opioids at any dose can place a person at risk.

What are the signs of an overdose?

People with opioid overdose may look as if they’re sleeping. REMEMBER: IT IS NEVER SAFE TO LET A PERSON WHO MIGHT BE OVERDOSING “SLEEP IT OFF.” 

Signs of overdose include: 

• Decrease responsiveness to shouting, shaking, or difficult to wake up

• Small or “pinpoint” pupils

• Absent or shallow breathing, gurgling or deep snoring with breathing

• Pale or grayish skin

• Blue lips or fingertips

• Slow or undetectable pulse

What steps do I take if I suspect someone has overdosed on opioids?

1. Check for responsiveness and try to wake the person. Gently shake them. If they do not wake up then they may be suffering an overdose.

2. Call 911 and administer naloxone. If the first dose doesn’t work within 3 minutes, give another dose of naloxone.

3. Perform chest compressions or rescue breathing. The 911 operator can walk you through this.

4. Stay with the person until help arrives.

What is naloxone?

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is the antidote for an opioid overdose. The drug temporarily reverses the effects of opioids on the brain. Giving naloxone to someone who has overdosed can be lifesaving. The antidote will often restore a person’s ability to breath and awaken them from an unconscious, coma-like state. Naloxone is a safe, non-addictive medication that has been used for decades to reverse opioid overdoses.

How do I use naloxone?

There are a few different naloxone products. The two most common are given by nose. Narcan nasal spray is easiest to use because it requires no assembly. You insert the nozzle into the nostril and push the plunger to administer Narcan. Intranasal naloxone with a nasal atomizer uses a pre-filled syringe that needs to be assembled before spraying into the nose. Half of the dose is given in each nostril. For further instructions, see the Videos page or page 3 of Guide to Using Naloxone.

Can naloxone hurt someone?

Naloxone is an extremely safe drug that only works if someone has overdosed on opioids. If a person has overdosed on something other than opioids--or is having another type of medical emergency--there will be no effect or harm that comes from giving naloxone. 

A person who is dependent on opioids may have sudden opioid withdrawal when they get opioids. They may experience nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and agitation, but these side effects are short lived and will resolve once naloxone is out of a person’s system, usually in about one hour. 

No. It will only reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Naloxone expires after two years if it’s stored right--at room temperature (Never store naloxone in a hot car). If all you have is expired naloxone, it can’t hurt to use it, but it may not work. Call 911--they can instruct you on how to care for someone who has overdosed until help arrives.

Everyone! In Colorado, anyone can get naloxone at most pharmacies without a prescription. People who are at risk of opioid overdose should have naloxone, and their friends and families should too. You can find participating pharmacies at stoptheclockcolorado.org/map. Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurers cover the full cost of naloxone or charge only a small copay.