Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril, until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose. Press the plunger firmly to give the dose of Narcan® Nasal Spray. Remove the Narcan® Nasal Spray from the nostril after giving the dose.
Ongoing Care For the Patient
- When the person wakes up, explain what happened. Tell them not to take any more drugs because that could cause another overdose.
- Naloxone, the medicine in Narcan®, wears off in 30 to 90 minutes. Stay with the person until they go to the hospital, or until the naloxone wears off, to make sure they do not overdose again.
- If you do not seek medical care, stay with the person for at least 3 hours and watch for signs of returning overdose. Call 911 if the person is not OK when they wake up.
- When the ambulance arrives, tell them that naloxone has been given.
- If you need to leave, turn the person on their side (recovery position) to prevent them from choking.
Can Narcan Hurt You If You Didn't Overdose On Opioids?
Naloxone Will Not Harm Someone Who Does Not Have Opioids in Their System. “What if you’re not sure it’s an opioid overdose? Don’t hesitate in an emergency,
How Fast Do You Administer Narcan?
Narcan doses should be given every 2 to 3 minutes until the person affected is responsive and starts breathing normally or emergency personnel arrive. Each dose should be alternated between the right and left nostrils.
How long does Narcan take to wake someone up?
Naloxone acts in two to three minutes. If the person does not wake up in three minutes, bystanders should give a second dose. (Rescue breathing should be done while you wait for the naloxone to take effect so that the person gets oxygen to his or her brain.
