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The Daily Insight

Can narcan be used multiple times

Author

Charlotte Adams

Published Apr 22, 2026

There’s no limit or maximum number of Narcan doses that can be given to someone. Narcan begins working within 2 to 3 minutes after it’s given. If the person who receives Narcan doesn’t start to breathe normally within that period of time, you should give them another dose of the drug.

How long should you wait between administering Narcan?

Naloxone acts in two to three minutes. If the person does not wake up in three minutes, bystanders should give a second dose. (Rescue breathing should be done while you wait for the naloxone to take effect so that the person gets oxygen to his or her brain.)

How much Narcan can an EMT give?

Dosing can range from 0.04mg to 4mg. An initial dose of 0.04mg IV or IO with repeated doses up to 2mg is the usual dosing for the advanced life support (ALS) pre-hospital provider. Dosing when given IV or IO usually takes effect within 1-2 minutes.

How often can IV narcan be administered?

An initial dose of 400 to 2000 micrograms (0.4mg to 2mg) of naloxone may be given intravenously and may, if required, be repeated at 2 to 3 minute intervals.

How much IV Narcan do you give?

Usage in Adults Opioid Overdose-Known or Suspected: An initial dose of 0.4 mg to 2 mg of NARCAN (naloxone) may be administered intravenously. If the desired degree of counteraction and improvement in respiratory functions are not obtained, it may be repeated at two- to three-minute intervals.

What happens after you give someone Narcan?

Because naloxone blocks opioids from acting, it is possible that it can cause withdrawal symptoms in someone that has a habit, daily opioid pain medication use or other opioid tolerance. Therefore, after giving someone naloxone he or she may feel dopesick and want to use again right away.

How long does Narcan last?

The answer to the question, how long does Narcan last, could be an indicator you’re struggling with opioid use. Narcan is a brand name of naloxone that lasts 30 to 90 minutes. While it can help reverse an opioid overdose, what Narcan doesn’t do is serve as a treatment for opioid addiction.

How safe is Narcan?

Side effects from naloxone are rare, but people might have allergic reactions to the medicine. Overall, naloxone is a safe medicine. But it only reverses an overdose in people with opioids in their systems and will not reverse overdoses from other drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine.

Can you give Narcan to someone who is awake?

Narcan won’t have any effect on someone who doesn’t need it (someone who is sober from opioids). So it’s safe to give someone Narcan if you think they may have overdosed on opioids but aren’t sure.

How fast does narcan start working?

Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain. This is a temporary effect and can last between 30 and 90 minutes. After giving someone naloxone, it may take a few minutes to work. If a first dose of naloxone does not work after about 3 minutes, give a second dose.

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What route is narcan given?

Naloxone is absorbed not only through intravenous (IV), but also by intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC), endotracheal, sublingual, intralingual, submental, and nasal routes. Via the IV route, onset of action is within 1-2 minutes.

Can you push Narcan?

Full “Emergent” reversal: If the patient is in acute respiratory distress or apneic and unarousable and requires a full reversal, administer 0.4 mg UNDILUTED (entire 1 mL vial) IV push over 15 seconds. May repeat every 2 to 3 minutes as necessary. Maximum dose is 10mg.

What do I do after naloxone administration?

After injecting naloxone Stay with the person until they go to the hospital, or until the naloxone wears o , to make sure they do not overdose again. If you do not seek medical care, stay with the person for at least 3 hours and watch for return of overdose. Call 911 if the person is not OK when they wake up.

Does narcan make you sleepy?

This means the breathing problems and sleepiness could come back. Always call for emergency help after the first dose of naloxone. Severe opioid withdrawal symptoms may happen suddenly after receiving this medicine.

What kind of overdose is Narcan used for?

Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) is a medication called an “opioid antagonist” used to counter the effects of opioid overdose, for example morphine and heroin overdose.

How long after Narcan can it work?

How does Narcan work? When a person overdoses on opioids, their breathing slows down. The lack of oxygen over a 1 – 3 hour period is ultimately fatal, but it allows time to save them. Narcan reverses the overdose within a few minutes and lasts for 30 – 90 minutes, time for EMS to arrive.

What drugs interact with Narcan?

  • Acetylsalicylic Acid (aspirin)
  • Adrenalin (epinephrine)
  • Ativan (lorazepam)
  • Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • Cymbalta (duloxetine)
  • Dextrose (glucose)
  • Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
  • Lyrica (pregabalin)

What happens if you don't dilute Narcan?

If yes – give large doses of naloxone (the benefit of saving their life outweighs the risk of inducing withdrawal). If no – titrate smaller doses of naloxone slowly (opioids can be slowly reversed to avoid inducing withdrawal). The goal of naloxone therapy is to immediately reverse the effect of opioids.

Why do paramedics give Narcan?

Introduction: Naloxone is a medication that is frequently administered in the field by paramedics for suspected opioid overdoses. Most prehospital protocols, however, require this medication to be given to patients intravenously (i.v.) or intramuscularly (i.m.).

Where do you inject naloxone?

Injecting into the muscle of the upper thigh or upper arm (see below) with a syringe is also a very common way to administer naloxone. Many naloxone kits come with a syringe and a vial (seen in photo below) or a pre-filled cartridge of naloxone. The shot can be administered through clothes.