What is Naloxone
Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an overdose that is caused by an opioid drug (prescription pain medication, heroin, or illicit fentanyl).
How Does it Work
Naloxone is administered by nasal spray and works within minutes to restore breathing in people overdosing on opioid drugs by blocking opiate receptors and essentially reversing the effects of opioid drugs.
It's important to know the effect of an opioid may last longer than the counter effect of naloxone and the person can go back into a state of life-threatening overdose in a short period of time. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that the overdosed patient be quickly taken for emergency medical care after administering naloxone. Additional doses of naloxone may be required before arrival to a medical facility.
Is it Safe
Naloxone is a non-narcotic and non-addicting drug that has been used safely by medical professionals for more than 40 years and has only one function: to reverse the effects of opioids on the brain and respiratory system in order to prevent death.
How To Get Naloxone
Naloxone can be purchased in PA over-the-counter (pharmacy's, grocery stores, convenience stores) or requested for free from several organizations who provide harm reduction materials at no cost to individuals and organizations who request them through the PA Overdose Prevention Program.
Local Organizations Who Provide Free Naloxone
Cumberland-Perry Drug & Alcohol Commission
For individuals and organizations seeking to receive free naloxone from Cumberland-Perry Drug & Alcohol, please contact Morgan Goodling, Opioid Mitigation Coordinator, by email (mmgoodling@cumberlandcountypa.gov) or phone (717.240.6300 or toll free 1.866.240.6300) to make a request.
The following forms of naloxone can be requested:
- Intranasal 4mg naloxone (Narcan)
Sara's House of Hope
Provides free naloxone as well as fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips. They are located at 1023 Mumma Road, Suite 102, Wormleysburg, PA 17043. Please contact them at orwecare@sarashouseofhope.org or by phone at (717.512.6492) to make a request.
PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs
The PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs offers additional information on opioid overdose prevention and identification.
PA Overdose Prevention Program
Individuals and organizations can also request Naloxone and Fentanyl or Xylazine test strips directly from the PA Overdose Prevention Program.