What is Naloxone?

Naloxone (brand names Narcan, EVZIO) is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. When given during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing within two to eight minutes. Learn more about how naloxone works.

• Naloxone has been used safely for over 40 years.

• Naloxone can be administered via a nasal spray, intramuscular injection (a shot in the muscle), or through an IV (an injection in the veins).

Physicians can use this resource for co-prescribing naloxone to patients at risk of an overdose.

How to use naloxone

• Narcan Nasal Spray

  • What is naloxone?

  • How to use Narcan Nasal Spray (Video)

• EVZIO (Injectable Naloxone)

  • What is EVZIO?

  • EVZIO Auto-Injector Demo (Video)

How to get naloxone

• You can get naloxone at most pharmacies. Although naloxone may not be available for same-day pick up, it can often be ordered and available within a day or two.

• Use Pennsylvania’s standing order (a prescription written for the general public) issued by the Pennsylvania Physician General. The standing order is kept on file at many pharmacies, or may be downloaded here.

• In Pennsylvania, residents can access naloxone at no cost.

• Ask your doctor for a prescription.

• Chester County residents can request naloxone at no charge from our community partners, Kacie’s Cause.

  • Kacie’s Cause: residents can submit a request on their website.

REQUEST A COMMUNITY NALOXONE TRAINING

The Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services has partnered with Good Fellowship Ambulance & Training Institute to deliver a Community Naloxone Training for Chester County residents. The training will briefly cover the opioid epidemic, what naloxone is, how to recognize and respond to an overdose and lastly accessing drug and alcohol services in the county.