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Narcan Training Philadelphia2024-12-10T10:55:00-05:00

Narcan® Training

and where to get it

The City is working to save lives, improve access to help, and reverse the negative effects opioids have had on our communities. To support overdose prevention, the City is distributing the lifesaving drug naloxone, an opioid overdose antidote.

Complete FAQ

1. What is naxolone

Naloxone is a prescription medicine that reverses opioid overdoses. It temporarily blocks the effect of opioids and helps a person to start breathing again.
Here’s what you need to know.

Naxolone only works for someone on opiods

Naxolone cannot be used to get high

Naxolone is not addictive

Adverse side effects from naxolone are rare

Naxolone is safe and easy to use

Naxolone takes effect in 2-5 minutes

More than one dose may be required

Naxolone stays in the body for 30-90min

Naxolone may cause withdrawl (e.g, chills, nausea, vomiting, agitation, muscle aches)

Naxolone only works for someone on opiods

Naxolone cannot be used to get high

Naxolone is not addictive

Adverse side effects from naxolone are rare

Naxolone is safe and easy to use

Naxolone takes effect in 2-5 minutes

More than one dose may be required

Naxolone stays in the body for 30-90min

Naxolone may cause withdrawl (e.g, chills, nausea, vomiting, agitation, muscle aches)

2. Signs of an overdose

If you know or suspect someone has taken opioids and the following symptoms are present:

  • Slow, shallow, or no detectable breathing
  • Unresponsive or unconscious
  • Pale, blue, or gray lips, face, and/or nail beds
  • Loud snoring or gurgling noise
  • Vomiting
  • Slow or no pulse

If you witness someone overdosing CALL 911 FIRST then administer naloxone.

NALOXONE IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR EMERGENCY CARE.

What to do if you suspect an overdose

  • Attempt to stimulate the person by calling their name or rub your knuckles on the individuals chest/sternum
  • Call 911 for emergency medical assistance
  • Administer naloxone; if the individual does not respond after approximately 2-3 minutes, administer a second dose.
  • Support the individual’s breathing by providing ventilatory support or rescue breathing and chest compressions, if needed.
  • Monitor the individual’s response

3. How to get naloxone

Although naloxone is a prescription medication, Pennsylvania has passed laws making it available as a standing order, which allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone without requiring an individual prescription. Pharmacists can find more information about dispensing naloxone at the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association website.

Get a prescription from your doctor

Use the standing order written for the general public

Where to get naloxone

Naloxone prescriptions can be filled at most pharmacies. Although the medication may not be available for same day pickup, it can often be ordered and available within a day or two.
When you arrive at the pharmacy, be sure to:

  • Have insurance card ready.
  • Bring an ID.
  • Ask whether the pharmacy has naloxone in stock to obtain through PA’s Standing Order.
  • If yes, ask for the cost of the copay before the order is filled.
  • If they do not have it in stock, request that it be ordered or ask if another location has it in stock.
  • While many may have a copay for certain brands, other brands may be free.
  • If the pharmacist declines your request, ask if they’re familiar with the standing order.
  • If they are unable to fill the request or are unfamiliar with the standing order, please go to another pharmacy.
  • If the pharmacist was unwilling to fill the request, please report your experience to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

DID YOU KNOW: If you are uninsured, Prevention Point Philadelphia offers naloxone based on ability to pay

4. How to use naloxone

This training program includes an overview of the current opioid crisis, information on opioids, and the symptoms of an opioid overdose. It will also provide information on naloxone and how to administer intranasal forms in the event of a suspected overdose.

This training will provide a certificate of completion.

Learn More

This training is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) teaches individuals how to identify signs of an opioid overdose, respond effectively, and administer naloxone to someone suffering a suspected overdose. Additional resources are also provided.

A certificate of completion is available for $10.

Learn More

Learn to administer Narcan

This brief instructional video by Dr. Rachel Levine, who at the time was Pennsylvania’s Physician General, demonstrates how to administer naloxone nasal spray. There is no certificate with this training video.

Learn more about Dr. Levine’s standing order

Upcoming Training Events

Overdose Prevention and Reversal Training

August 28 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Frequently Asked Questions about Narcan®

It is considered an opioid antagonist; which means when naloxone is administered, it blocks and reverses the effects of opioids. Opioids attach to receptors in the brain. Once naloxone is administered, the medication essentially finds the opioid receptors and kicks the opioid off of the receptor, temporarily preventing it from reattaching. Temporarily is the key word. It is extremely important that the first step when encountering a suspected overdose is to call 911, as naloxone is not a replacement for emergency care.

Naloxone should be protected from light and stored below 77 degrees fahrenheit and below 104 degrees fahrenheit. Naloxone freezes at below 5 degrees fahrenheit. Although, it will function after being thawed, do not wait for it to thaw in the event of a suspected overdose.

Naloxone generally has an expiration date of 3 years upon production, which is listed on the packaging.

Anyone can administer naloxone if they believe someone is suffering from an opioid overdose. The individual administering naloxone is immune from liability if they suspect an overdose AND they call 911 for emergency medical assistance.

Naloxone is safe and will not cause harm if the person is not suffering an overdose.

The side effects of naloxone resemble opioid withdrawal symptoms including, but not limited to, body aches, nervousness or irritability, dizziness, diarrhea or nausea, fever, chills, and runny nose.

An allergic reaction to naloxone may present as hives and/or swelling in the lips, eyes, and face. In the event of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical assistance.

Naloxone is meant for immediate reversal of an opioid disorder. Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are all FDA-approved medications used to treat opioid use disorder. These medications are designed for relapse prevention, medically supervised withdrawal, and/or maintenance, and are only available through prescription or as part of an opioid treatment program.

Naloxone is intended to reverse opioid overdoses, therefore it is only effective for drugs classified as opioids. Opioids include prescription painkillers such as:

  • oxycodone
  • hydrocodone
  • codeine
  • morphine
  • fentanyl,
  • heroin.

Naloxone will not be effective for overdoses due to other substances. In the event of an overdose involving fentanyl, a higher dose of naloxone may be needed, due to the increased potency.

Anyone that takes opioids can be at risk for an overdose, including:

  • Anyone using high doses combined with another prescription.
  • Children and the elderly
  • Anyone resuming opioid use after a prolonged period of abstention (e.g. completion of detoxification, release from incarceration, cessation of treatment)
  • People using prescription opioids without medical supervision
  • Those using a combination of opioids with alcohol, other substances, and/or medicines that inhibit respiratory function (e.g some pain medications, anesthetics, or benzodiazepines)

Administer naloxone before starting CPR. If the individual does not respond after approximately 2-3 minutes, administer a second dose of naloxone. Support the individual’s breathing by providing ventilatory support or rescue breathing and chest compressions, if needed.

Anyone can administer naloxone if they believe someone is suffering from an opioid overdose. The individual administering naloxone is immune from liability if they suspect an overdose AND they call 911 for emergency medical assistance.

If you are uninsured, Prevention Point Philadelphia offers naloxone based on ability to pay.

For those with insurance, ask the pharmacist for the cost of the copay before the order is filled. While certain brands incur a copay, other brands may be free.

There is a standing order for naloxone written for the general public.Although naloxone is a prescription medication, Pennsylvania has passed laws making it available as a standing order, which allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone without requiring an individual prescription.
naloxone prescriptions can be filled at most pharmacies. Although the medication may not be available for same day pickup, it can often be ordered and available within a day or two.When you arrive at the pharmacy, be sure to:

  • Have insurance card ready.
  • Bring an ID.
  • Ask whether the pharmacy has naloxone in stock to obtain through PA’s Standing Order.
  • If yes, ask for the cost of the copay before the order is filled.
  • If they do not have it in stock, request that it be ordered or ask if another location has it in stock.
  • While many may have a copay for certain brands, other brands may be free.
  • If the pharmacist declines your request, ask if they’re familiar with the standing order.
  • If they are unable to fill the request or are unfamiliar with the standing order, please go to another pharmacy.
  • If the pharmacist was unwilling to fill the request, please report your experience to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
If you are uninsured, Prevention Point Philadelphia offers naloxone based on ability to pay.

Healthy Minds Philly is an initiative of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, City of Philadelphia

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