Opioid Overdose

Opiates and opioids are central nervous system (CNS) depressants.

Common Opiates and Opioids

  • Fentanyl
  • Heroin
  • Morphine
  • Codeine
  • Methadone
  • Hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®)
  • Oxycodone (Percocet®)

A Naloxone dose of two milligrams is recommended and typically takes three to five minutes for the full effect. Patients must be closely monitored for re-occurrence of problems requiring additional doses.

What are some signs of an Opioid Overdose?

  • Unconsciousness
  • Very small pupils
  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Vomiting
  • An inability to speak
  • Faint heartbeat
  • Limp arms and legs
  • Pale skin
  • Purple lips and fingernails

How to Administer Naloxone

Follow the instructions for the naloxone product you have available. Common products may be intranasal or intramuscular. If there is no response after 2 to 3 minutes, give another dose if available and continue care.

  1. Assemble the nasal atomizer if required.
  2. Place the patient on their back.
  3. Tilt the head back and briskly spray half of the Naloxone up one side of the nose with 1 cc.
  4. Spray half up the other side of the nose with 1 cc.

If the person is not breathing normally, call 911 and start CPR immediately. Use an AED as soon as it is available. If an opioid overdose is suspected and naloxone is available, administer it as soon as possible as long as it does not delay CPR or AED use. If there’s no change in three to five minutes, administer another dose of Naloxone and continue CPR or rescue breathing. If the second dose of Naloxone doesn’t revive them, something else is wrong. Either there are no opioids in their system, or the opioids are unusually strong and require more Naloxone.

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