Narcan: The Shot You Hope to Never Need, But Happy to Have if You Do
By Ann Byrd, Clinical pharmacist
In honor of International Overdose Awareness Month, VA pharmacist, Ann Byrd takes time to shed some light on the use of Narcan (naloxone hydrochloride) as a treatment for overdose. (As shared in a guest column in the Sheridan Press August 9, 2025.)
Check out Ann's pharmacy teammate, Dr. Sarah Bockman, who talks about naloxone (and the stigma of using it) in this short video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lKY-jJV6nlQ
An overdose can happen when the body is exposed to one or more medications or substance, in a dose and/or combination that is more than the body can handle. It can be due to illicit drugs or prescribed medications.
As a pharmacist, this product is a frequent counseling topic, but it needs to be talked about more, both to raise awareness as well as to help make the topic and the medication more “mainstream”. There still seems to be a stigma if a person is offered a Narcan Kit, thinking the offer is because they are thought of as a drug abuser, or an addict. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Think of it like an Epi-Pen for narcotics. It’s there to deliver what may be life-saving medication in an emergency.
I think most people are aware of the funny videos of people coming out of anesthesia from dental procedures, or surgeries, and it’s all fun and games until they go home and are responsible for what happens next. It’s not uncommon for patients in a post-op haze, to forget when or how many pain pills they took, or to combine medications. We like to tell ourselves “I’ll remember”, but let’s ease the burden where we can, and write things down. This could help prevent an accidental overdose.
Narcan can be used in situations of accidental overdose by the patient or a family member. Narcan works on the receptors to reverse the effects of opioids (pain medicine) like: Tramadol, Tylenol with Codeine, Percocet, Vicodin, Morphine, or Tramadol (just to name a few). If you or a loved one experience slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, discoloration of the skin, temperature change of skin, or pinpoint pupils, it may be due to an overdose. If an overdose is suspected call 911 and give a dose of Narcan. Additional doses can be given every 2 to 3 minutes until emergency care arrives.
As with any medications, there are side effects from using Narcan, like nausea, dizziness, headache, or abdominal pain, but those pale in comparison to the alternative.
If you are taking prescribed medication for pain, ask your doctor or pharmacist if Narcan is right for you. You can also ask how to get a free Narcan kit, how/where to dispose of unwanted or unused medications, or additional treatment options for addiction and/or prevention.