Naloxone/overdose prevention

An overdose happens when someone takes too much of a drug, including alcohol. Overdose can also happen when people mix drugs and/or alcohol. Opioid overdose of heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers is especially common. The brain is flooded by the substance and begins to shut down the body. An overdose can cause dangerous health problems, and even death.

An overdose usually happens 1 to 3 hours after a person has used, but can happen more quickly. If a person shows these signs after using an opioid, or drugs and alcohol together, it might be an overdose:

• Breathing that is slow or shallow, or no breathing at all
• Very sleepy or sleeping, and not responding to your voice or touch
• For those with light skin: blue or grayish skin, with dark lips and fingernails; for those with dark skin: grey/purple lips and skin and bright white nail beds
• Irregular snoring, choking, or gurgling sounds (“death rattle”)

An opioid overdose can cause a coma or death within minutes, so it’s important to act quickly. Naloxone (Narcan®) can reverse an overdose and save a life. Learn the steps below and encourage others to learn them too:

1. 1. Tap, shake, and shout at the person to get a response. If there is still no response, rub your knuckles hard on the center of their chest. If the person still doesn’t respond to you, they’re probably having an overdose.
   2. Call 9-1-1. Give the address and say the person is not breathing.
   3. Give naloxone for an opioid overdose, if you have it. (See below.)
   4. Do rescue breathing.
      • Place the person flat on their back or tilt head back so airway is clear if person is sitting up.
      • Make sure nothing is in their mouth.
      • Tilt the head back and lift chin.
      • Pinch their nose, lock your mouth over theirs, and breathe in mouth once every 5 seconds.

      

5. Stay with the person. If you must leave them for any amount of time, place them on their side and leave the door open.

Naloxone (also called Narcan) is a prescription medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids include heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone, and Vicodin.

Naloxone saves lives. It is safe, easy to use, and cannot be abused.

Keeping naloxone in your home and/or carrying it with you can save a life. Here’s how you can get naloxone:

• Go to a pharmacy that has a “Narcan standing order” and request a Narcan kit. These pharmacies can provide a Narcan kit without a prescription. All Walgreens and most CVS pharmacies in Massachusetts have standing orders. The cost for a two-dose kit ranges from $30 to $50. MassHealth and some other insurance providers will cover Narcan so that you can get it free at a pharmacy.
• Go to an overdose prevention training where Narcan is provided for free. Call the Helpline at 800.327.5050 or search for training providers.
• If you are actively using opioids, visit one of the Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution sites across MA to get free Naloxone.
• Family members and loved ones of someone using opioids can get Naloxone and overdose rescue training through the Learn to Cope support meetings.
• Get a prescription from your doctor. Most pharmacies can fill Narcan prescriptions.
• Call our Helpline Specialists at 800.327.5050 with any questions.

For people who are actively using opioids, here are some suggestions that can help save your life:

• Don’t use alone.Make sure you use only when you’re with other people, in case something happens.
• Don’t mix drugs. Benzodiazepines (“benzos”), alcohol, and opioids all slow your breathing. Mixing them can cause an overdose.
• Use less if you haven’t used for a while. Tolerance goes down after not using for a while.
• Use less if you’re sick or not feeling well. Tolerance can go down when you’re sick or not well.

Quick medical help can save a life when someone has an overdose. But some people worry about getting arrested or charged with drug possession. The Good Samaritan law in Massachusetts protects a person having an overdose and the people who help.

This law provides protection from arrest and prosecution for drug possession by encouraging someone who sees a friend or stranger overdose to seek emergency medical help. The goal is to save lives and protect people so they will call 911 right away.

Call us for more information about the MA Good Samaritan Law or find out more here.