Narcan

 
Generic Name: naloxone

Brands: Narcan

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What is the most important information I should know about Narcan?

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Narcan may cause dizziness, especially when rising from sitting or lying down. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

· Avoid alcohol while taking Narcan. Alcohol may increase dizziness caused by Narcan.

 

What is Narcan?

· Narcan is an opioid antagonist. Narcan reverses the effects of narcotic drugs.

· Narcan is used to reverse the effects of narcotic drugs that may be used during surgery or to treat pain. Narcan may also be used in the treatment of narcotic drug overdose or to diagnosis suspected narcotic addiction.

· Narcan may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

 

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using Narcan?

· Before using Narcan, talk to your doctor if you have     ·an alcohol or drug addiction;     ·a brain tumor or head injury;     ·seizures; or     ·heart disease or irregular heartbeats.

· You may not be able to use Narcan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

· Narcan is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Narcan without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

· It is not known whether Narcan passes into breast milk. Do not use Narcan without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How should I use Narcan?

· Use Narcan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Narcan is administered as an injection, usually by a healthcare provider. If you are administering Narcan at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the medication.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Contact your healthcare provider if you miss a dose of Narcan.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of Narcan is suspected.

· Symptoms of a Narcan overdose may include seizures, blood pressure changes, and memory impairment.

 

What should I avoid while using Narcan?

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Narcan may cause dizziness, especially when rising from sitting or lying down. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

· Avoid alcohol while taking Narcan. Alcohol may increase dizziness caused by Narcan.

 

What are the possible side effects of Narcan?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Narcan and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:     ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);     ·chest pain or fast or irregular heartbeats;     ·seizures;     ·difficulty breathing; or     ·fainting.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Narcan and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·dizziness or lightheadedness;     ·nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;     ·nervousness, restlessness, or excitement;     ·sweating;     ·runny nose;     ·trembling; or     ·weakness or tiredness.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Narcan?

· The effects of narcotic medications used to treat pain are reversed by Narcan. Talk to your doctor before using Narcan if you are taking:     ·buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutrex);     ·codeine (Tylenol with Codeine, others);     ·hydrocodone (Lorcet, Lortab, Vicodin, Vicoprofen, others);     ·hydromorphone (Dilaudid);     ·levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran);     ·meperidine (Demerol);     ·methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);     ·morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, MSIR, OMS, Roxanol, Oramorph SR, others);     ·oxycodone (M-Oxy, OxyContin, OxyIR, Roxicodone, Percocet, Percodan, others);     ·oxymorphone (Numorphan); or     ·propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet, others).

· Taking Narcan during treatment with any of the drugs listed above may result in withdrawal symptoms such as body aches, diarrhea, increased heart rate, fever, runny nose, sneezing, sweating, yawning, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, restlessness or irritability, shivering or trembling, abdominal cramps, weakness, and increased blood pressure. Your healthcare provider may want to monitor the administration of Narcan.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Narcan. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Narcan written for health professionals that you may read.

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