Naloxone

Overview

Naloxone is a prescription medicine that temporarily stops the effect of opioids. This helps a person start to breathe again and wake up from an opioid overdose. Administering naloxone to a person experiencing an overdose may save their life.

Basics

Naloxone is the generic name for an FDA-approved drug sold under the brand name Narcan®. Naloxone stops and reverses the effects of opioids during an overdose. Opioids include substances such as heroin, fentanyl and prescription pain medications like hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and Percocet.

Use and Safety

Here are a few more things to know about naloxone:

  • Only works on opioids; it has no effect on someone who has not taken opioids
  • Cannot be used to get high and is not addictive
  • Has a long safety history
  • Can be easily and safely given by laypersons, either as an injection or nasal spray

Understand Your Legal Protections

Some people may be concerned about carrying naloxone or administering it to others because of concerns about legal liability. In Washington state, people rendering aid during an emergency are generally protected from prosecution.

According to RCW 69.50.315,

  • A person who seeks medical assistance for someone else who is experiencing a drug-related overdose cannot be charged or prosecuted for possessing naloxone.
  • A person who has a drug-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance will not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance if the evidence for charge was gotten because of the overdose and the need for medical attention.

See the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 69.50.315 for more information.

Recommendations

In Washington state, anyone who might have or witness an opioid overdose can legally possess and administer naloxone.1 If you or anyone you know uses opioids, it’s a good idea to carry naloxone. If you ever need to use naloxone for anyone else, remember that you should also call 911. The effects of naloxone are temporary and someone experiencing an overdose will still need medical care.

Where Can You Get Naloxone?

  • Personal Use

  • Government Agencies & Community Organizations

Administering Naloxone

Deaths caused by opioid overdose in Spokane County more than doubled between 2020 and 2021, with an increase from 47 deaths in 2020 to 125 deaths in 2021. For more information about opioid use and its effects on health in Spokane County, visit the County Health Insights website.

SOURCES

1. “Good Samaritan Law,” stopoverdose.org, last accessed August 10, 2022, https://stopoverdose.org/basics/good-samaritan-law/.

2. “Get Free Naloxone by Mail in WA State,” University of Washington Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, last accessed August 10, 2022, https://adai.uw.edu/get-free-naloxone-by-mail-in-wa-state/.