Take-Home Naloxone Kits for Opioid Overdose

British Columbia Specific Information

All opioids, including prescribed medications such as morphine and oxycodone, can be addictive. If you are concerned about your use of opioids, speak with your health care provider. For more information visit HeretoHelp.

Individual, family and small group counselling is available to people of all ages who are directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and other drug use. For more information call the 24-hour BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service in the Lower Mainland at 604-660-9382 or toll-free anywhere in B.C. at 1-800-663-1441, or visit our Mental Health and Substance Use web pages. 

To find mental health and substance use support services in your area, search the HealthLinkBC Directory or contact your local health authority.

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Overview

Naloxone is a medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid emergency. Opioids are strong pain medicines. Examples include hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine. Heroin is also an opioid.

Taking too much of an opioid can slow or stop your breathing. This is an emergency. If naloxone is given soon enough, it may save a life.

Naloxone comes in a take-home kit you can carry with you. You may hear it called a Narcan kit or a rescue kit.

The take-home kit may contain:

  • A nasal spray device that contains the medicine.
  • The medicine along with syringes and needles.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about a take-home naloxone kit. A kit can help, and can even save your life, if you have taken too much opioids. You can get a naloxone kit without a prescription at most drugstores or through a community Take Home Naloxone program.

When is naloxone used?

Naloxone is used when a person shows signs of an opioid emergency. A person may have taken too much of an opioid if they have:

  • Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing.
  • Pinpoint pupils.
  • Blue or purple lips or fingertips.
  • No response when you ask questions, shake the person, or rub the person's breastbone with your knuckles.

The effects of naloxone only last for 20 to 90 minutes. After naloxone wears off, the opioid may still be present and can cause breathing to slow down again. That means the overdose may return, requiring another dose of naloxone. This is why it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible by calling 9-1-1, and be prepared with a second dose of naloxone if the overdose symptoms return.

Make sure your family and friends know about these signs of an opioid emergency.

If someone appears to have taken too much of an opioid, call 9-1-1. This is an emergency.

Credits

Adaptation Date: 6/14/2023

Adapted By: HealthLink BC

Adaptation Reviewed By: HealthLink BC