FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• NARCAN® Nasal Spray is an easy-to-use nasal form of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid poisoning
• Naloxone and opioids both bind to the same receptor sites in the brain. Naloxone blocks opioids from being attached to the receptors, which can reverse the effects of opioid poisoning
• Naloxone targets opioid receptors specifically. This means it is unlikely to cause harm even if opioids are not present

Opioid poisoning, or an opioid overdose, happens when someone takes more opioids than their body can handle. They are unable to breathe or can’t breathe enough.

Without enough breathing, blood oxygen levels will fall. Oxygen starvation eventually stops other vital organs like the heart and brain, leading to unconsciousness, coma, and, if untreated, death.

Signs of opioid poisoning include:

• Store NARCAN® Nasal Spray in the original blister pack
• Store it at room temperature (below 25°C). Can be stored up to 40°C only for short periods of time. Do not freeze or expose to excessive heat above 40°C
• NARCAN® Nasal Spray freezes at temperatures below -15°C. If this happens, the device will not spray. If someone is having an overdose and the spray is frozen, do not wait for it to thaw. Call 911 right away
  • You can thaw NARCAN® Nasal Spray by leaving it at room temperature for 15 minutes. You can still use it after it has thawed when it was previously frozen.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children

NARCAN® Nasal Spray comes ready to use. No device assembly is required.

Do not prime or test the device; each device only has one dose.

NARCAN® Nasal Spray can reverse poisoning caused by any opioid, including highly potent opioids like fentanyl. However, you may need more than one dose to reverse a poisoning caused by partial agonist opioids such as buprenorphine and pentazocine, or highly potent opioids such as fentanyl or its analogs.

NARCAN® Nasal Spray cannot reverse an overdose from drugs that are not opioids, such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, xylazine, alcohol, stimulants, or other tranquilizers.

Not sure whether you have an opioid in your home? Use our search tool to check your medications.

Sometimes one dose of NARCAN® Nasal Spray is not enough to stop the effects of opioid poisoning. The person might not wake up after the first dose, or their symptoms could come back. If this happens:

• Turn the person on their side to help keep their airway open
• Watch them closely
• If they don’t wake up or their breathing doesn’t improve after 2 to 3 minutes, give a second dose in the other nostril
• If you know how and if needed, give rescue breathing or chest compressions until emergency help arrives

NARCAN® Nasal Spray should only be used in pregnant women when clearly needed.

Giving NARCAN® Nasal Spray to someone who is physically dependent on opioids can cause acute opioid withdrawal syndrome, which can cause a reaction such as shaking, vomiting, or becoming upset or aggressive. Special care is required when giving NARCAN® Nasal Spray to a pregnant woman because some of these reactions may cause preterm labour or be life-threatening to the fetus.

Always call 911 before giving NARCAN® Nasal Spray and as soon as you suspect an opioid overdose.

Please consult the Patient Medication Information for warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, dosing guidelines, and conditions and limitations of clinical use.

Yes, it can, but there are a few considerations:

Newborns:
Newborns (under 4 weeks old) may have strong reactions after receiving NARCAN® Nasal Spray, such as shaking, vomiting, or becoming upset or aggressive. These reactions can be dangerous for a newborn or unborn baby, so extra care is needed. Always call 911 before giving NARCAN® Nasal Spray and as soon as you suspect an opioid overdose.

For babies or young children under two years old, a pharmacist might recommend using a different type of naloxone. This is because injectable naloxone can be given in smaller doses.

Children:
You can use NARCAN® Nasal Spray in children, but the spray tip might not fit inside the child’s nostril. If that happens, gently press the tip against the nostril to form a seal before giving NARCAN® Nasal Spray.

Please consult the Patient Medication Information for warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, dosing guidelines, and conditions and limitations of clinical use.

Medicinal ingredient: naloxone hydrochloride.

Non-medicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid and purified water.

In Canada, every province and territory has a Good Samaritan law. This law provides some protections for people who try to help during a medical emergency, like opioid poisoning.

The national Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act gives some legal protection against personal drug possession charges if you call 911 or help someone during an opioid poisoning.

Take care when giving NARCAN® Nasal Spray to someone who might be dependent on opioids. They may go into acute opioid withdrawal, which can cause:

• Shaking or having seizures
• Nausea, vomiting
• Pain
• Fever, sweating
• Shivering, chills, tremors, trembling
• Restlessness, irritability, or aggressive behaviour
• Yawning
• Weakness
• Increased blood pressure

Acute Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome can be life-threatening for a newborn. Symptoms in newborns also include excessive crying, twitching, and hyperactive reflexes.

Other side effects may include:

• Swelling, dryness, congestion, or running in the nose
• Nervousness
• Increased heart rate
• Diarrhea, abdominal cramps
• Muscle spasms
• Dizziness
• Headache

Always call 911 before giving NARCAN® Nasal Spray to ensure the person gets the help they need to deal with any overdose symptoms and any side effects.