How to Recognize and Respond to an Opioid Overdose Emergency with Naloxone

Opioid poisoning can happen to anyone. Individuals could be 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. This is considered poisoning or overdose.

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 to tell its opioid poisoning or 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 someone may be experiencing opioid poisoning:

• 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 is Naloxone?

Naloxone (or the brand name Narcan) is a medication designed to block the effects of opioids and can reverse an opioid poisoning. 

• Naloxone only works if there are opioids present in the body. It is not effective on other substances.
• It can take 1 to 3 minutes for the 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.

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 Need Naloxone?

RACSB has regularly scheduled dispensing dates as well as dispensing at community events.

 Naloxone dispensing 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:

• January 23, 2023 
• February 6, 2023 
• February 23, 2023
• March 6, 2023
• March 23, 2023
• April 10, 2023
• April 27, 2023
• May 8, 2023
• May 25, 2023
• June 5, 2023
• June 22, 2023

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 22408).