Quick Start Guide

Opioid Overdose Response Instructions

Use NARCAN Nasal Spray (naloxone hydrochloride) for known or suspected
opioid overdose in adults and children.

NARCAN (naloxone HC)
NASAL SPRAY

Important: For use in the nose only.

Do not remove or test the NARCAN Nasal Spray until ready to use.

PDF format    

1. Identify Opioid Overdose and Check for Response

  • Ask person if he or she is okay and shout name.

  • Shake shoulders and firmly rub the middle of their chest.

  • Check for signs of opioid overdose:

    • Will not wake up or respond to your voice or touch
    • Breathing is very slow, irregular, or has stopped
    • Center part of their eye is very small, sometimes called "pinpoint pupils"

  • Lay the person on their back to receive a dose of NARCAN Nasal Spray.

Image
1-Identify Opioid Overdose and Check for Response
Image
NARCAN Bar Code

2. Give NARCAN Nasal Spray

  • Remove NARCAN Nasal Spray from the box. Peel back the tab with the circle to open the NARCAN Nasal Spray. 

  • Hold the NARCAN nasal spray with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle. 

  • Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into either nostril. 
    • Tilt the person's head back and provide support under the neck with your hand. 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.
Image
NARCAN Nasal Spray instructions

3. Call for emergency medical help, Evaluate, and Support

  • Get emergency medical help right away.

  • Move the person on their side (recovery position)
    after giving NARCAN Nasal Spray.

  • Watch the person closely.

    If the person does not respond by waking up, to voice or touch, or breathing normally another dose may be given. NARCAN Nasal Spray may be dosed every 2 to 3 minutes, if available.

  • Repeat Step 2 using a new NARCAN Nasal Spray to give another dose in the other nostril.
    If additional NARCAN Nasal Sprays are available, repeat step 2 every 2 to 3 minutes until the person responds or emergency medical help is received.

Image
3-Call for emergency medical help, Evaluate, and Support

For more information about NARCAN Nasal Spray, go to www.narcannasalspray.com, or

call 1-844-4NARCAN (1-844-462-7226).

©2015 ADAРТ NARCAN is a registered trademark licensed to ADAPT Pharma Operations Limited. A1009.01

Harm Reduction Essentials: Using Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips
 

Did you get a positive fentanyl test result in a substance you planned to use? 

Report it anonymously so that we can share safety information about where fentanyl is being found in our community. 

Instructions for administering Narcan in other languages are available: Spanish, Mandarin, ASL.

Instructions for using Fentanyl test strips are available in Spanish.