Naloxone, commonly called Narcan, is a prescription medication that counteracts the effects of opioids to restore breathing during an overdose. To be effective, it must be administered quickly and may require more than one dose to reverse an overdose.

Naloxone is often carried by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers and by first responders. It can be administered either by syringe or nasal spray, and is intended for immediate administration when an opioid overdose is suspected. 

After naloxone is successfully administered to an overdose victim, it is still critical to get the victim medical help immediately. The effects of naloxone are temporary.

Naloxone is available to Louisiana residents with a doctor’s prescription and some Louisiana pharmacies will provide the medication when an individual prescription is not present.

The Department of Justice has donated over 20,000 doses of Naloxone across Louisiana.