Types of naloxone flyer

WHAT KIND OF NALOXONE SHOULD YOU USE?

Naloxone is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, and comes in many different forms.

A lot of people know it as “Narcan” which is a brand of 4 milligram (mg) nasal spray.

Naloxone also comes as a liquid that can be injected with an intramuscular syringe (IM). IM naloxone is administered in 0.4mg/mL doses. Use low dose naloxone options whenever possible. There is a 3 mg nasal spray available. IM naloxone and 3 mg nasal spray are the best options, but 4mg intranasal is an okay option too. IM naloxone comes in smaller doses because it is so effective.

Because of the mistaken belief that higher doses were needed for fentanyl, companies made an 8 mg nasal dose. However, studies have shown that giving someone a higher dose naloxone does not make it work any faster, does not improve chances of survival and it can make people feel worse afterwards. We do not recommend using the 8 mg dose on people.

Although naloxone is safe for anyone who is not dependent on opioids, naloxone can cause bad withdrawal symptoms in people who are physically dependent on opioids. Those withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, body aches, diarrhea, and pain, get worse when people get more naloxone. It is really important to give someone naloxone when they need it, but ideally you only give someone enough naloxone to help them breathe again

What should you use?

Use low dose naloxone options whenever possible. There is a 3 mg nasal spray available. IM naloxone and 3 mg nasal spray are the best options, but 4mg intranasal is an okay option too.