Reversing Opioid Overdoses
Opioid poisoning can happen to anyone, whether they are taking medications prescribed to them or using substances recreationally. Consuming too much of an opioid can cause a person’s breathing to slow down or to stop all together.
Naloxone is safe and easy to use and available over-the-counter. It can save lives.
FAQs
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids. Naloxone (brand name Narcan) is designed to block the effects of opioids.
- Naloxone works only if there are opioids present in the body.
- It can take between one and three minutes for naloxone to start working. And, more than one dose may be required (depending on how much of the substance the individual has ingested).
- Naloxone may cause the individual to experience withdrawal. This may include nausea, vomiting, agitation, muscle aches, etc.
What are opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain medications as well as illicit drugs like heroin and synthetic fentanyl. Examples of prescription pain medications include Hydrocodone (Vicodin); Hydromophone (Dilaudid); Oxycodone (OxyCotin, Percocet); Morphine; Codeine; Tramadol; Buprenorphine; and Methadone.
How much does naloxone cost? And where can I get it?
The cost of naloxone varies depending on where you get it. We offer a free dose to individuals who receive training on using it (we offer rapid training).
The rapid version with naloxone dispensing is held the first Friday of every month from 1-3 p.m. at our Fredericksburg Clinic, 600 Jackson Street.
In partnership with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office the rapid training and naloxone dispensing will take place the first Thursday of the month from 1-4 p.m. at the Mall Substation.
You can follow us on Facebook for updates about other training and dispensing times.
You can also get a rapid training and a free dose of naloxone from the Rappahannock Area Health District:
- Fredericksburg Health Department
608 Jackson Street
540-899-4142 - Caroline County Health Department
17202 Richmond Turnpike
804-633-5465 - King George County Health Department
8097 Kings Highway
540-775-3111 - Spotsylvania County Health Department
9104 Courthouse Road
540-659-3101 - Stafford County Health Department
1300 Courthouse Road
540-659-3101
Who can carry naloxone?
Anyone can have naloxone to respond to an opioid overdose. It is available without a prescription. Carrying naloxone allows bystanders to help save lives by preventing fatal overdoses.
How can I recognize an opioid overdose?
When a person consumes more opioids than their body can tolerate, it can stop their central nervous system functions such as breathing which can lead to brain damage and/or death.
Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- Unresponsive to yelling, pinching, or sternum rub
- Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
- Not breathing or really slow/shallow breaths
- Blue or gray/ashen lips and/or fingertips
- Clammy, cool skin
- Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
- Choking, snoring or gurgling sounds
What should I do if I think someone is overdosing?
It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life.
- Administer naloxone if it’s available and call 911.
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.
Is naloxone safe?
Naloxone won’t harm someone who is overdosing, so it’s always best to use if you suspect an opioid overdose.
It can cause withdrawal symptoms, which may include fever, rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremors and/or anxiety.
How do I store naloxone?
It should be kept at room temperature and out of sunlight. Do not store naloxone in the refrigerator.
Want the full training on using naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses? Register here.
Need Naloxone?
RACSB has regularly scheduled dispensing dates as well as dispensing at community events.
- December 5, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
- December 17, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Naloxone dispensing and rapid training (10 minutes) will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at RACSB at River Club (10825 Tidewater Trail) on the following dates unless noted otherwise:
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- November 28, 2024
- December 9, 2024
- December 26, 2024
The rapid version with naloxone dispensing is held the first Friday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Clinic (600 Jackson Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401).
To register for an upcoming dispensing date: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/RACSB-Naloxone-Training2024
In partnership with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office the rapid training and naloxone dispensing will take place the first Thursday of the month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Mall Substation.
Additionally, Rappahannock Area Health District now offers Rapid training and naloxone dispensing daily between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the following health department sites:
- Caroline Health Department (17202 Richmond Turnpike, Milford, VA 22514)
- Fredericksburg Health Department (608 Jackson Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401)
- King George Health Department (8097 Kings Highway, King George, VA 22485)
- Spotsylvania Health Department (9104 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553)
- Stafford Health Department (1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554)
Respond to Opioid Poisoning Using Naloxone
- Check for Safety
- Check for Responsiveness
- Call 911 – If you must leave the individual alone, place them into the recovery position
- Give 2 Rescue Breaths (if the person is not breathing)
- Administer 1 dose of Naloxone
- Continue Rescue Breathing – 1 breath every 5 seconds for 3 minutes
- Assess and respond based on outcome of the first naloxone dose.
Naloxone should take effect within 30-45 seconds but may take longer. Provide rescue breathing (1 breath every 5 seconds for 3 minutes). If still no response after 3 minutes, administer the second dose of naloxone. If the individual remains unresponsive after the second dose is administered, continue rescue breathing until emergency medical services arrives.
Nasal Spray (FDA Approved)
Recovery Position
Learn How to Save a Life
Our free community trainings teach you to recognize and respond to mental health emergencies, prevent suicide, reverse opioid overdoses, recognize childhood trauma and build resilience.