Naloxone, an overdose-reversing drug, saves lives

Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. overdose on opioids or illicit drugs. Overdosing is extremely dangerous, as it slows down your respiratory system and can quickly lead to death.

However, after many years of high rates of overdose, data shows overdose deaths involving opioids decreased from approximately 84,000 in 2022 to an estimated 55,000 in 2024. The prior year, 2023, was the first year the number of opioid-related deaths decreased since 2018.

“There can be numerous factors at play for the decrease, but one possible reason could be more people using naloxone,” says Monica Hinton, PhD, with Sharp McDonald Center. Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a medication that can help reverse the effects of an overdose and save lives.

A study found that medical services reported more than 700,000 patients receiving naloxone in the U.S. from 2020 to 2022. During this period, the percentage of a layperson using naloxone to help save another person’s life increased by more than 40%. What's more, over 60% of surveyed people who self-report opioid dependence currently carry naloxone.

“The medicine comes in either a nasal spray or injection, and you don’t have to be a medical professional to use the nasal spray version,” says Dr. Hinton. “The injection version is usually used in a medical setting only. I encourage folks to carry naloxone with them because you never know when someone may need it, such as in a college dorm room, concert or party.”

Other dangers

Although overdose deaths from synthetic opioids — primarily fentanyl — has decreased, the use of other drugs, including cocaine and meth, has increased. Additionally, illegal drugs may be laced with other drugs, like fentanyl, cocaine or meth, increasing the potency.

Additionally, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) recently announced new warnings about the opioid carfentanil, which is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl and 10,000 times stronger than morphine. Carfentanil has been found in drug supplies and is often laced with heroin, cocaine or counterfeit pills.

“Some people may not even know the drug is mixed with other drugs,” says Dr. Hinton. “That’s why it’s important to use fentanyl test strips, which can detect whether a drug has fentanyl in it, and know the signs of an overdose.”

If someone is unconscious and has slow breathing, they could be experiencing an overdose. The following could be other signs of overdose:

• Confusion

• Seizures

• Vomiting

• Small pupils

• Low body temperature

• Nodding off into sleep or losing consciousness

• Slow, shallow or erratic breathing

• Slow heart rate

• Pale or blue, clammy skin, such as blue or purple lips or fingertips

Act immediately

Access to naloxone can save lives. In San Diego, the Harm Reduction Coalition recently launched a program featuring a series of planned library-based naloxone distribution and training sessions. Through the program, members of the community can procure naloxone, as well as testing strips for fentanyl and xylazine, a veterinary sedative found in some illicit drugs, and can learn overdose response training at local library branches. Naloxone can also be picked up at other locations throughout the county.

“If you suspect someone has overdosed, give them naloxone immediately,” says Dr. Hinton. “With the nasal spray version, you press the medication’s nozzle once in the person’s nostril. If they are unresponsive in the next two to three minutes, you can give them another dose in the other nostril.”

Dr. Hinton adds that people should still call emergency services after giving someone naloxone. She also says that naloxone is safe to give to someone even if you are not sure that they have overdosed.

“If someone is struggling with an addiction, I really encourage their loved ones to practice compassionate listening,” she says. “A person can find it already really difficult to seek treatment, and the stigma of addiction doesn’t help.”

According to Dr. Hinton, various services ranging from inpatient hospitalization and partial hospitalization to outpatient programs like the ones at Sharp McDonald Center can help people find suitable options. “Medical experts and a compassionate support system can help ease the recovery process, as no one should have to struggle with addiction by themselves,” she says.

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