What is Naloxone?

Addiction , Addiction Treatment , Drug Rehab David Rofofsky | July 11, 2024

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Naloxone, also known as the brand name Narcan, is the main medicine which is used to reverse an opioid overdose. The medicine is an opioid antagonist, which means it attached to opioid receptors and then will reverse and block the effects of other opioids. Narcan is mostly used to treat cases of narcotic overdose in emergencies, and one of the most important questions people have is “how long does Narcan last?”

Naloxone helps people going through an opioid overdose right away and restores their breathing back to normal. This should not be used as a long-term solution for someone who is addicted to opioids. This person should instead take it as a wake up sign to get treatment as soon as possible.

However, most abusers of opioids live in denial of a problem, making it necessary for a drug like Naloxone to be created, and both practitioners and users need to understand “how long does Narcan last?”

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Call Today to Find Out More About Naloxone

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How Does Naloxone Work?

Naloxone has two different ways to use it. You can either get a nasal spray or have it injected into the muscle, under the skin or directly into the veins. When getting Naloxone, or Narcan, you need to be trained on how to use it beforehand no matter which type of delivery method you choose to administer the medicine.

Naloxone can only work when opioids are in the system presently. If there’s no opioids presently in the person’s body, Naloxone doesn’t affect the person who used that medication. The medication needs the opioid in the person’s system as it binds itself to opioid receptors to reverse or prevent the drug’s results.

Doses are usually administered based on the severity of the overdose. In some cases, more than one dose is needed to help the person who has overdosed breathe again. It is essential that Naloxone is not administered by a person who has no training of any sort.

Learn More About Naloxone

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How Long Does Narcan Last?

Narcan, which is the brand name of Naloxone, blocks opioid receptors ranging from 30 to 120 minutes. This is not to say that once it’s administered that the person who got treated for opioid overdose is cured. It’s important to still go to the hospital and get medical attention right away to make sure they won’t overdose again as it depends how large a dose of opioids are in their system and the medicine might not be strong enough for the specific dosage.

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Effects and Abuse of Naloxone

The effects of Naloxone are usually positive as it helps the person who can’t breathe and is struggling with an opioid overdose. However, for people who have been using opioids constantly and over long periods, side effects are apparent. Upon the administration of the drug, a long time opioid users may experience side effects immediately, which makes them concerned about how long does Narcan last.

The side effects of using Naloxone is getting withdrawal symptoms. The acute opioid withdrawal symptoms are fevers, body aches, trembling/shivering, stomach cramps, and nausea. People who develop withdrawal symptoms are more prone to becoming irritable and anxious.

In most cases, Naloxone lasts for about 20-90 minutes in the system of the user. The answer to the famous question of how long does Narcan last in the system is answered, but it’s not always predictable In most instances, Narcan lasts about 90 minutes in the system of the user when administered nasally, although the answer to how long does Narcan last can vary a great deal.

Naloxone cannot be abused. The nature of this drug only allows it to work when opioids are present in the body. The drug blocks all the effects of opioids, meaning that any attempts to combine the drug with opioids are pointless, regardless of the answer to the question of how long does Narcan last.

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Naloxone and Mental illness.

When someone gets withdrawal symptoms after Naloxone is administered it is reported that it might be connected to mental illness. Part of the withdrawal symptoms makes someone mentally more nervous and paranoid. People have also reported to sometimes have hallucinations and tremors after taking Naloxone. These types of side effects make patients very interested in knowing “how long does Narcan last?”

Apart from the withdrawal symptoms, Naloxone cannot be directly linked to any mental health issues. In most instances, mental health illnesses are caused by drugs which, make it necessary for Naloxone to be used. It is generally accepted that Naloxone if anything, helps treat or reduce the effect of opioids on the mental health of a patient, which is why it’s important to understand the impact of this drug and know the answer to the question of how long does Narcan last.

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How Long Does Narcan Last: Naloxone Treatments

Naloxone is only a temporary treatment and should be used an emergency situation of opioid overdose. People who get the relief from Naloxone sometimes believe they don’t need to seek any help since it’s helped them temporarily. This is untrue and overdoses can continue to happen if the person doesn’t get addiction treatment right away. Naloxone is equivalent to a bandage on a deep cut on your leg, it needs to be taken seriously and looked at from a medical professional.

Naloxone is a short-term emergency treatment and can save people’s lives before the ambulance gets there; however, opioid addiction is lifelong and you need a long-term plan with seeking and sticking to an addiction treatment facility.

Long-term treatment options are available so that overdoses can be avoided entirely. Treatments for opioid addictions vary and are usually dependent on the specifics of a patient’s needs. The most commonly favored are inpatient treatments, outpatient treatments, and therapy.

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Inpatient Therapy

When seeking addiction treatment for opioid abuse, the person has the option of a more intense and hands-on treatment type, which is inpatient therapy. It removes the person from their familiar environment, whether this just be their home or completely different state or city the facility is located in. It gives the person going through rehab less chances of being able to relapse and go back to old habits of using opioids with the 24/7 supervision and support in the facility.

Resurgence Behavioral Health has a team of addiction specialists who can help patients throughout the day with whatever barriers come their way. Inpatient treatment offers the safety and stability of always having someone to keep you accountable as well as being able to successfully and safely detoxing from opioids. Dietary plans and physical exercises are administered and taught at Resurgence.

Outpatient Therapy

Outpatient treatment is less intense although still effective for opioid addiction. Outpatient treatment is facilitated still in the addiction treatment center but once patients are done with treatment they go home. Outpatient treatment has the same type of therapies patients can choose from the only difference is they go home afterward and don’t need a place to sleep and eat.

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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral therapy can be used in outpatient or inpatient treatment. It’s used to identify the underlying issues of your opioid addiction and getting to the root cause of it. This type of treatment varies in time but usually lasts 20 to 40 days on average but can also go on for longer. It’s dependent on the progress being made with your therapists and identifying if you need anymore help. Once the patient fully understands why they suffer from opioid abuse, the therapist can help the patient make better choices in the future.

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Insurance Verification

We need to ensure that all of our clients get the best treatment. This is why we offer free insurance provider verification. Resurgence will contact your insurance provider to confirm the nature of the treatment that you require. We also accept PPO insurance in addition to private forms of payment for treatments received. Our trained personnel are available to ensure that you receive full insurance benefits for your treatment.

Find Out More About Naloxone

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Contact Us Now!

It’s a difficult task admitting to being addicted to opioids, but once you admit it to yourself and want to get better, Resurgence Behavioral Health is here to help every step of the way. At Resurgence, we offer all the solutions to your problems. You can contact us now at 855-458-0050 to make inquires or to speak to our trained medical personnel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does naloxone last before it wears off?

Narcan (naloxone) typically lasts between 30 and 90 minutes in the body, which is often shorter than the duration of opioids like heroin or fentanyl. This is why additional doses or emergency medical care are essential after an overdose. Always call 911 even after giving Narcan.

What is the duration of action of Narcan?

Naloxone (Narcan) has a duration of action of approximately 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the route of administration and dose. Intranasal naloxone (the most common form in community use) tends to have an onset of 2 to 5 minutes and lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Injectable naloxone can act within 2 minutes. Because many opioids, especially fentanyl, have longer durations of action than naloxone, repeat dosing is often necessary and staying with the person until emergency services arrive is critical.

How long do you feel sick after Narcan?

After naloxone reversal of an overdose, people commonly feel acutely ill for 20 to 60 minutes as they experience precipitated withdrawal from the opioid being reversed. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sweating, agitation, muscle aches, and confusion. This is unpleasant but not dangerous in itself. The illness begins to ease as the acute withdrawal period passes, but significant discomfort can last 1 to 4 hours. The naloxone is clearing the opioid from receptors, which the body experiences as sudden, severe withdrawal.

How long to wait after giving Narcan?

After giving naloxone, you should stay with the person, call 911 if you have not already, and be ready to administer a second dose of naloxone in 2 to 5 minutes if the person has not responded or if they stop breathing again. For fentanyl overdose, multiple doses are often needed. Do not leave the person alone because the naloxone may wear off before the opioid does, causing them to re-overdose. Once they are responsive, position them on their side in the recovery position.

What is the 5 half life rule?

The 5 half-life rule states that it takes approximately 5 half-lives for a drug to be largely (approximately 97 percent) eliminated from the body. This is a pharmacological principle used to predict clearance times. For naloxone with a half-life of approximately 1 hour, this means it is substantially cleared within 5 hours. For fentanyl patches with a half-life of 17 to 27 hours, full clearance takes days. This rule helps clinicians predict when a drug's effects will wear off and guides dosing intervals.

How long will naloxone block opiates?

Naloxone blocks opioid receptors for 30 to 90 minutes depending on dose and formulation. For most street opioids this window is adequate, but fentanyl's potency and some analogs' extended duration mean naloxone's blockade may not outlast the opioid's effects. This is why multiple doses are routinely recommended for suspected fentanyl overdose and why hospital observation for at least 2 hours after naloxone administration is standard practice.

How long until naltrexone wears off?

Naltrexone (not to be confused with naloxone) is a long-acting opioid blocker used in addiction treatment. Extended-release injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol) lasts approximately 28 to 30 days. Oral naltrexone (ReVia) has a half-life of approximately 4 hours for the parent compound with active metabolites that extend blockade for 24 to 72 hours. Naltrexone used therapeutically blocks opioid euphoria as part of medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Does Narcan work on Xanax?

Narcan (naloxone) works specifically on opioid receptors and has no effect on benzodiazepines like Xanax. If someone has overdosed on Xanax alone, Narcan will not reverse the overdose. However, many overdoses in the current drug supply involve both opioids (including fentanyl) and benzodiazepines combined, in which case Narcan will reverse the opioid component but not the benzo component. A person who is not fully responsive after Narcan may have benzodiazepine or other non-opioid involvement, requiring full emergency medical care.

What is known as nature's morphine?

Endorphins are sometimes called the body's natural morphine, as they bind to the same opioid receptors as morphine and heroin to produce pain relief and a sense of well-being. Endorphins are released during exercise (the runner's high), laughter, eating, and social connection. Understanding the endorphin system helps explain why regular exercise, meaningful relationships, and engaging activities are powerful supports for addiction recovery, as they activate the same reward pathways that substances hijack.

What does Narcan do to the brain?

Naloxone works by competitively blocking opioid receptors, including the mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptors, throughout the brain and body. By physically occupying these receptors, it prevents opioids like fentanyl and heroin from binding and activating them, rapidly reversing respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and the other life-threatening effects of opioid overdose. Because it is a competitive antagonist, the opioid can displace it if present at high enough concentrations, which is why multiple doses are sometimes needed for fentanyl overdoses.

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

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