Frequently Asked Questions:
Opioid Overdose Prevention Training
1. How do I get another Naloxone kit?
> If you use your kit OR realize your kit is expired, please call CASJ at 866-599-7260 and we will replenish your kit. If you used your kit, there is an anonymous report that we will complete when you call.
2. Does my Naloxone expire?
> Naloxone does have an expiration date. It can be found on the device. If you realize your Naloxone is expired, please call us to receive a new kit. If your Naloxone is expired and it is the only kit you have in an emergency situation, use it. Naloxone is still effective after the expiration date but will lose potency over time.
3. Where should I keep my Naloxone?
> Naloxone should be stored in a room temperature (59 – 77⁰ F) setting. Although our cars may seem like the ideal place to keep them, they are not temperature controlled. Naloxone decreases in potency if kept for extended periods of time at temperatures warmer than 77⁰ or cooler than 59⁰. Additionally, naloxone is a liquid and can freeze, making it unusable. It is best to keep Naloxone in a briefcase or purse (as long as they are not left in the car) or a central storage cabinet at a room temperature
4. What if I am unsure why the person is unresponsive?
> If there are no telltale signs of why this person is unresponsive, quickly check their mouth to ensure there are no obstructions. If there is no evidence of a blocked airway, administer naloxone immediately. It is always safe to give naloxone no matter why they are unresponsive. Naloxone will not hurt anyone who has become unresponsive from another condition. Naloxone will only attach to the opioid receptors in the brain and reverse the effects of opioids, nothing else.
5. Is it safe to use this same kit on a child or animal who has accidentally ingested opioids?
> Naloxone can be used on anyone of any age. Naloxone only blocks the opioid receptors; it
will not cause any harm.
6. Would it be better to just give both doses right away?
> No. We do not recommend giving both doses immediately. If the victim is opioid dependent, the naloxone will put them into withdrawal. If you spread out the doses, this decreases the severity of the withdrawal symptoms, and in many cases, you may not need to use a second dose at all.
7. How old do you have to be to become trained in Naloxone?
> Anyone 16 and older can be trained and receive naloxone without parental permission. Anyone under the age of 16 must have parental consent and must demonstrate the ability to understand the training and administer naloxone. There is no minimum age if those conditions are met.
8. When the victim wakes up, will they be combative?
> Probably not. Although it is possible, most people are not combative when a lay person administers Naloxone. If you give the doses in the steps we provided, you are slowly bringing them back and reducing the severity of their withdrawal symptoms. In cases where individuals have been combative, it is usually due to confusion and feeling sick. It is important for you to remain calm, back up and give them space, and explain to the victim that he/she overdosed and you administered Naloxone.
9. What if someone has a nosebleed or their nasal cavity is damaged due to snorting drugs?
> Naloxone is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the nasal cavity. If the nasal cavity is eroded and mucous membrane not present, administering naloxone in the nose may not be effective. If you are trained to inject naloxone, use an intramuscular administration. If you only have an intranasal version of naloxone, there are other mucous membranes on the human body that can be effective: mouth, throat, anus, and vagina. If you are unable to administer the naloxone, rescue breaths and/or chest compressions are very effective and can still save the victim’s life. Continuous rescue breaths or CPR (for those certified) should be conducted until Emergency Medical Services arrive.
10. Which form of Naloxone (intranasal or intramuscular) is more effective?
> Both forms of naloxone are equally effective. The difference is the route of administration: An injection is a more direct route of administration and leaves little room for any of the naloxone to drip out. Intranasal naloxone may drip out of the nose during administration if the head is not tipped back. Narcan nasal spray is now distributed in a much larger dose than the 1cc frequently used for intramuscular injection. The larger dose has become common primarily to counteract the effect of more potent opioids like fentanyl. CASJ advises that you use the form of naloxone with which you are most comfortable. Intranasal naloxone is much easier to administer, especially if you are uncomfortable drawing the Naloxone from a vial and giving an injection with a large needle. Neither form is effective if it cannot be administered quickly.
11. Where does CASJ get these kits from?
> CASJ is a certified Opioid Overdose Prevention program through the New York State Department of Health. CASJ also trains individuals as volunteer trainers who
are also certified to train and distribute Naloxone.
If you would like to schedule a Naloxone training for yourself, your family, or your community,
contact us: 1-866-599-7260 / [email protected]
Community Action for Social Justice (CASJ) is a non-profit organization that fosters improved health and quality
of life for Long Islanders impacted by drug use, incarceration, homelessness, and chronic disease.