NARCAN® Nasal Spray FAQ

if you see or suspect an overdose, dial 911 immediately.

(NARCAN®)

how is this keeping the community safe?

Fentanyl fatalities pose an urgent and serious threat to public health and safety. Fentanyl overdose is now the #1 cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. Fentanyl related deaths doubled from 2019-2021, and over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids.

Synthetic opioids are cheap to produce and have a powerful, heroin-like effect on the user. For this reason, they are increasingly being used as a cost-effective way to cut and lace recreational use of drugs like cocaine, heroin, ketamine, and MDMA. As a result, many overdoses are accidental. Get the fentanyl facts from the Center for Disease Control here.

Bluedoor is providing NARCAN® Nasal Spray at no cost to help promote education and preparedness in the instance of an overdose. Our goal is to do any small part to protect our community.

Fentanyl testing strips are available to use prior to consuming drugs. However, in the instance of an overdose use NARCAN® Nasal Spray and call 911 immediately.

what is NARCAN® Nasal Spray?

NARCAN® Nasal Spray is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose emergency with signs of breathing problems and severe sleepiness or not being able to respond. NARCAN® Nasal Spray is to be given right away and does not take the place of emergency medical care. Get emergency medical help right away after giving the first dose of NARCAN® Nasal Spray, even if the person wakes up. NARCAN® Nasal Spray is safe and effective in children for known or suspected opioid overdose. Find more information here.

What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine (CDC). It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Though Fentanyl is used in very specific medical settings, most recent cases of overdose are linked to Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl (IMF). IMF is cheap to manufacture and has a strong heroin-like effect. It is distributed through illegal drug markets and is often used to cheaply cut recreational drugs such as cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, heroin and more.

Why are you prescribing NARCAN® Nasal Spray?

Bluedoor is prescribing NARCAN® Nasal Spray free of charge as a community service to increase access to this potentially life saving drug. Our goal is to provide education, tools, and support to keep our community safe during the opioid/Fentanyl crisis.

How do you use it?

Instructions for use will be provided upon prescription and detailed in an educational leaflet. For visual instructions, see HERE and HERE.

When do you use it?

Use NARCAN® Nasal Spray immediately when an opioid overdose is known or suspected and immediately call 911. The medication is used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid medicines. The medicine has no effect on people who are not taking opioid medicines. Always carry NARCAN® Nasal Spray with you in case of an opioid overdose.

Who should carry NARCAN® Nasal Spray?

Anyone can carry NARCAN® Nasal Spray. Many health experts feel NARCAN® should be an essential part of every home's first aid kit.

You should consider carrying NARCAN® if:

  • You or anyone you know uses drugs, either regularly or recreationally
  • You are attending an event or party where recreational drugs are being used (clubs, music festivals, parties, etc)
  • You are medically prescribed opioids at a dosage of 50 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) or higher per day. If you are taking prescription opioids and are unsure what your MME is for your prescription(s), please consult your prescriber
  • You are a health safety professional
  • You work in an environment that often encounters people using opioids (convenience store, hotel, homeless shelter, librarian)

Isn't this promoting drug use?

Bluedoor does not promote the use of illegal drugs or substances. We do promote safety, education, and preparedness.

This initiative is geared toward harm reduction and education regarding the growing opioid crisis. Harm reduction is a public health approach that, instead of focusing on the drugs themselves, focuses on minimizing consequential harm these drugs can cause. This pragmatic approach is particularly relevant in the case of Fentanyl overdoses because in many cases, people are unaware that what they are consuming may be cut with Illegally Manufactured Fentanyl (IMF).

Additional Information on Harm Reduction Initiatives & Studies.

California Harm Reduction Initiative (CHRI)

Canadian Needle Exchange Program (NEP)

Study: The efficacy of needle exchange programs (NEPs) in the prevention of HIV and hepatitis infection among injecting drug users

What are symptoms of an overdose?

Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life. With or without NARCAN® Nasal Spray, you should always call 911 immediately

Some common signs of overdose are (CDC):

  • Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
  • Falling asleep or losing consciousness
  • Slow, weak, or no breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Limp body
  • Cold and/or clammy skin
  • Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)

What do I do if I see an overdose?

It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose. (CDC)

  1. Call 911 Immediately
  2. Administer naloxone, if available (NARCAN® Nasal Spray)
  3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing
  4. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
  5. Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives

Does it help all kinds of overdose?

NARCAN® only works for opioid overdoses and will not help in other instances of overdose. If you suspect an overdose, always dial 911 immediately.

How many doses are in NARCAN® Nasal Spray?

Each nasal spray is one single dose and cannot be reused.

What are the side effects?

NARCAN® Nasal Spray may cause serious side effects, including sudden opioid withdrawal symptoms. In someone who has been using opioids regularly, opioid withdrawal symptoms can happen suddenly after receiving NARCAN® Nasal Spray and may include:

  • Body aches
  • Diarrhea
  • Increased heart rate
  • Fever
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Goose bumps
  • Sweating
  • Yawning
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Nervousness
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Shivering or trembling
  • Stomach cramping
  • Weakness
  • Increased blood pressure

In infants less than 4 weeks old who have been receiving opioids regularly, sudden opioid withdrawal may be life-threatening if not treated the right way. Signs and symptoms include: seizures, crying more than usual, and increased reflexes.

These are not all of the possible side effects of NARCAN® Nasal Spray. If you have more questions, speak to a medical provider.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What if I have more questions?

For more information, visit https://www.narcan.com/frequently-asked-questions/