Opioid overdoses can happen unexpectedly, and knowing what to look for can help you decide when to act. If you're not familiar with naloxone itself, our What is Naloxone page covers the basics. This guide focuses on recognizing an overdose and knowing when naloxone applies.
Recognizing an Opioid Overdose
Common signs of an opioid overdose include slowed, irregular, or stopped breathing, unresponsiveness, bluish or gray lips and fingernails, and pinpoint pupils. If you notice these signs in someone, it's worth calling 911 and considering naloxone.
Situations Where Naloxone May Apply
A few situations where naloxone commonly comes into play:
Someone is found unresponsive after suspected opioid use, or shows slowed or stopped breathing following use of a painkiller, heroin, or fentanyl. Someone mixes opioids with alcohol or sedatives and becomes unresponsive. A child or pet accidentally gets into prescription opioids. Or you're simply not sure what someone has taken, but the signs match an overdose.
Since naloxone has no effect on someone who hasn't taken opioids, there's little downside to using it if you're unsure.
What to Do Next
For a complete, detailed breakdown of overdose signs, along with step-by-step guidance on giving naloxone and what to do afterward, we point to SAMHSA rather than write our own version. Review SAMHSA's Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit for the full picture, or see our How to Use Naloxone page for administration and what to expect afterward.
Visit our Naloxone Provider Directory if you don't already have naloxone on hand.
Disclaimer
Nove LLC is not responsible for the effectiveness, proper use, or results of the medication placed inside this product. The responsibility for ensuring that the medication is stored, handled, and administered according to its instructions lies solely with the user. Nove LLC does not manufacture or supply the medication and is not liable for any consequences arising from its use.
Nove is a carry case only, not an FDA-regulated medical device, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any medication manufacturer. Nove LLC does not include or supply medication of any kind. For questions about the medication itself, refer to the manufacturer's instructions or contact your pharmacist. For product questions, reach us at contact@novedevice.com or +1 317-445-3130.