Naloxone can save a life
Naloxone is an antidote to opioid overdose. Taking too much of opioid drugs (like morphine, oxycodone, methadone, heroin, or fentanyl) can slow down or stop breathing. Naloxone may restore normal breaking and consciousness within 1 to 5 minutes of administration.
Giving naloxone and rescue breathing can reverse overdose and prevent death or brain damage from lack of oxygen during an opioid overdose.
Injectable Naloxone
Naloxone is an injectable medication that can save people from dying of toxic drug poisoning because it reverses the effects of opioid drugs. Naloxone has been added as a First Nations Health Benefit. It is an open benefit on the drug benefit list, which means that it does not require a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner.
To obtain naloxone from a pharmacy, you now have two choices and both are covered by First Nations Health Benefits.
- You can speak with your pharmacist. If naloxone is right for you then the pharmacist will provide you with it.
- You can visit your doctor and ask for a prescription and have the prescription filled at the pharmacy.
Naloxone is available at pharmacies and at harm reduction service locations (First Nations and provincial). Find a site here.
Nasal Naloxone
Nasal naloxone is the same chemical as injectable naloxone – the only difference is the delivery method. Nasal naloxone is easy to administer. You can learn how to use it from your pharmacist.
- Nasal Naloxone Program FAQ
- Nasal Naloxone Access through First Nations Health Benefits (video)
- Nasal Naloxone (Narcan®) now available at no cost to BC First Nations (fact sheet)
How to Use Naloxone
- Nasal Naloxone SAVE ME Steps Summary (video 3:24 min)
- Injectable Naloxone SAVE ME Steps (video 30 sec)
- How to Use Naloxone (video 3:03 min)
- Overdose death can be prevented: Take-home naloxone kits can save lives (poster)
