Opium Antidote: How Naloxone Can Save a Life

If someone takes too much opium or another opioid and stops breathing well, naloxone can reverse the overdose fast. You don’t need medical training to use it, and giving it can buy time until emergency help arrives. This page gives clear steps, doses, and where to get naloxone today.

How to spot an opioid/opium overdose

Look for these signs: very slow or no breathing, blue or gray lips and fingernails, tiny pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness or hard-to-wake, and weak or no pulse. If the person won’t wake up but responds to shouting or shaking, treat it as an emergency. If you see these signs, act immediately.

How to use naloxone — simple steps

1) Call 911 first if you can. Tell dispatch it’s an opioid overdose. 2) Check breathing and pulse. If breathing is slow or absent, start rescue breaths while someone else gets the naloxone. 3) Use the naloxone kit right away. Most community kits are a nasal spray (Narcan) or an auto-injector. For nasal spray, insert the tip into one nostril and press the plunger. For injectables, follow the device instructions — usually into the thigh.

If the person doesn’t wake within 2–3 minutes, give a second dose. Keep giving doses every 2–3 minutes until they breathe on their own or emergency responders take over. Stay with the person; naloxone wears off faster than many opioids, so they can slip back into overdose and may need more help.

Expect withdrawal: after naloxone the person may feel sick, sweaty, agitated, or anxious. That’s normal but can be intense. Avoid giving food, drink, or sedatives unless a clinician tells you to. Never leave an overdosed person alone after giving naloxone.

Where to get naloxone and what to know

Pharmacies, community health centers, and harm-reduction programs often sell or hand out naloxone kits. Many places have standing orders, so you can buy it without a personal prescription. Costs vary — some programs give kits free. You can also ask your doctor or local public health department about training and free supply.

Store naloxone at room temperature away from heat and check the expiry date. Most kits include two doses — that’s useful because some overdoses need more than one. If you give naloxone, tell paramedics what and how much you used. If you’re worried about legal issues, know that many areas have Good Samaritan laws protecting people who help during an overdose.

Want a quick takeaway? Carry naloxone if you or someone close uses opioids, learn rescue breathing, and call 911 immediately during an overdose. A kit and a little know-how can save a life.