Get a Narcan kit
Naloxone (also known by its brand name, Narcan®) is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is usually available as a nasal or injectable medication and works by outcompeting opioids and binding on to the opioid receptor, alleviating the sedating effects of the opioid. When given during an overdose, naloxone could restore breathing within 2-8 minutes.
California state regulations permit pharmacists to prescribe Naloxone without a prescription in accordance with the Title 16 California Code of Regulations Section 1746.3.
Pharmacists go through a screening process and are required to provide counseling and education for those obtaining Naloxone. This includes prevention, recognition of overdose, response, and administration.
Facts on Naloxone
Naloxone is a prescription drug that can reverse the effects of prescription opioid and heroin overdose. It can be helpful in preventing overdose deaths if administered in time.
Narcan® and Naloxone are chemically identical, however Narcan is the brand name form of Naloxone.
You can administer Naloxone nasally or by injection into a muscle or below the skin of a person suspected of an overdose.
Naloxone blocks opioids in the brain from binding to the receptors, alleviating some of the sedating effects of opioids.
Common symptoms are: unresponsiveness, clammy skin, discolored lips, slow or shallow breathing.
The out of pocket cost for naloxone nasal spray ranges between $70 and $150 for a two dose unit, depending on the formulation.
A pharmacist is allowed to dispense either two prefilled syringes in a kit for nasal use; a twin pack that contains two intramuscular naloxone auto-injectors, or a twin pack that contains two naloxone nasal sprays.
The trainer is required to provide information which covers prevention, recognition, response, and administration of naloxone.
It is not harmful to the person. Narcan simply has no effect if the person has no opioids in their system. More information can be found at https://www.narcan.com/
Get a free Narcan training and kit
From 8:00 - 1:30 pm every day the County of Santa Clara Opioid Overdose Prevention Project offers Free Narcan* training and kits to anyone who would like one. In less than 10 minutes, you could be equipped with the knowledge and tools to help save an opioid overdose victim. Here are the locations below:
Good Samaritan Laws
AB 472, California’s 911 Good Samaritan law, provides limited protection from arrest, charge and prosecution for people who seek emergency medical assistance at the scene of a suspected drug overdose.
What does this mean?
Many overdose deaths are preventable, yet people often fear arrest if they call 9-1-1 for help at the scene of a drug overdose. Good Samaritan Laws are designed to encourage people to seek medical care for the overdose victim by providing limited protection from arrest, charge, and/or prosecution for low-level drug violations.
Narcan training videos
Naloxone training
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