Veterans & Narcan (Naloxone) for Overdoses

Veterans are diagnosed with substance use disorder at a slightly higher rate than the general population.¹ Often due to injury during deployment, opioid pain relievers may be prescribed to treat pain.¹ Any opioid use comes with a risk of accidental overdose, and it’s important for Veterans who use opioids to be informed about naloxone.²

Continue reading to learn more about Narcan (naloxone), including Narcan uses, how it works, how to administer it, and potential side effects when using it. This page will also discuss how to obtain Narcan and ways to get treatment for opioid use disorder.

What Is Narcan (Naloxone)?

Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, causing opioid withdrawal.^3,4 It is an opioid antagonist that should be given immediately if an opioid overdose is suspected.⁴ Naloxone works within a few minutes to restore normal breathing when a person’s breathing slows or stops due to an overdose.^3,4

Naloxone is available under several brand names, including:⁴

• Narcan.
• Kloxxado.
• Zimhi.

There are 2 FDA-approved, highly effective forms of naloxone:⁴

• An injectable.
• A nasal spray.

Narcan (Naloxone) Uses

Narcan is meant to be used as an opioid overdose treatment and its effects last between 30 and 90 minutes.⁴ Because many opioids last longer than that, it’s possible a person will experience overdose effects again after the dose of Narcan wears off. Additional doses of Narcan may be necessary in these situations, as well as if a stronger opioid was used such as fentanyl.^3,4

If you suspect a person has overdosed on opioids, but they have no opioids in their body, there will be no effect. Naloxone will not cause harm.²

If a person is overdosing on another drug, such as cocaine or meth, naloxone will not be effective at reversing the overdose.⁴

How Does Narcan Work?

Narcan works by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain and blocking the effects of other opioids. By doing this, naloxone can quickly reverse the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose and restore normal breathing.^2,4

Examples of opioids that can be involved in an overdose include:⁴

• Heroin.
• Fentanyl.
• Oxycodone (OxyContin).
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin).
• Codeine.
• Morphine.

Naloxone Dosage & Administration

The dosage of naloxone used will depend on the form of use. Naloxone may be administered via injection or nasal spray when a person is showing signs of an overdose.²

Some signs of an opioid overdose include:²

• Unconsciousness.
• Slow or shallow breathing.
• Choking.
• “Pinpoint” pupils.
• Weak heart rate.
• Limp arms and legs.
• Cold, blue, or pale skin.

Each naloxone nasal spray device contains 1 pre-measured dose of naloxone. There is no need to assemble or fill the device; simply spray the dose into one nostril. This process requires little effort and no formal training to administer. In situations where multiple doses of naloxone are needed, additional spray devices containing single doses will be necessary.^2,4

To administer injectable naloxone, a person will either need to fill a syringe by drawing a proper dose from a vial or use a prefilled single-dose syringe. Either option will need to be injected under the person’s skin or into a muscle.⁴

There are also auto-injection devices that are prefilled and, when turned on, will provide instructions on how to inject the naloxone into the thigh muscle.²

After administering naloxone, 911 should be called as the person needs to be regularly monitored.³

Naloxone Side Effects & Interactions

Naloxone side effects are rare. However, administering naloxone to someone with opioids in their system can result in acute opioid withdrawal symptoms.⁴ Some withdrawal symptoms that the person may experience after a dose of naloxone include:⁴

• Nausea.
• Tremors.
• Vomiting.
• Headaches.
• Sweating.
• Blood pressure changes.
• Rapid heart rate.

It is important to receive medical attention as soon as possible after administering naloxone.⁵

Although unusual, if a person has an allergic reaction to naloxone, let the 911 operator know immediately. Signs of an allergic reaction to naloxone include:⁵

• Hives.
• Swelling of the face.
• Swelling of the lips.
• Throat swelling.

Given that fentanyl, a potent opioid, is often mixed in with other substances without the user’s knowledge, it is recommended to use naloxone when any overdose symptoms are present.⁴

Naloxone does not have a negative effect on someone who is not experiencing an overdose on opioids but can save the life of someone who is, even unknowingly, having an opioid overdose.⁴

Overdose Prosecution & Protections: Good Samaritan Overdose Law

No one should have to fear prosecution for administering opioid overdose treatments such as naloxone. There are laws in place to protect people from harm if they are trying to help someone during a drug overdose—such laws may differ by state.⁶ Examples of these laws include the following:⁶

• The Good Samaritan Law: Protects you if you call for medical assistance for a drug overdose. The Good Samaritan Law is active in 47 states and D.C. Kansas, Texas, and Wyoming do not have this policy.
• The Naloxone Access Law: This law protects a person from liability if they administer naloxone to someone when an opioid overdose is suspected. Currently, all 50 states have the Naloxone Access Law.

How Much Does Naloxone Cost?

The cost of naloxone can vary depending on the dose, the form of administration, and whether you use VA health care benefits, private insurance, or pay out of pocket. Veterans with VA health benefits can typically access the opioid overdose treatment for free through the VA.⁷

If you have health insurance other than VA benefits, you can check with your insurance company to see if naloxone is covered.⁴ It is also possible to find certain pharmacies that offer it for free, and some drug companies may offer cost assistance programs. Call your local pharmacy to check what it costs without insurance.

Do Veteran Benefits Cover Narcan (Naloxone)?

Yes, VA health care benefits allow Veterans to obtain naloxone for free.⁷ Veterans who have been prescribed opioids, or who use illicit opioids, should ask their VA doctor about prescribing them naloxone.²

Other insurances, such as private insurance, TRICARE, Medicaid, or Medicare, may provide naloxone for free or at a low cost. Contact your insurance provider to find out what options you have.

Where Can I Get Naloxone?

In addition to your local VA, several chain and local pharmacies carry naloxone. Some states do not require a prescription from your doctor and naloxone is supplied by the pharmacist upon request.⁴ You may also obtain naloxone from community-based facilities like your local health departments, often free of charge.⁴

The VA & Naloxone

Veterans Affairs, or VA, is a leader in naloxone distribution. Between 2014 and 2019 the VA provided over 200,000 Veterans with life-saving naloxone.⁸ VA has a program centered around this opioid-reversing drug, called OEND, Opioid Overdose Education & Naloxone Distribution.⁷

The Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) Program

The goal of the VA OEND program is to reduce the risk of life-threatening opioid-related overdoses and deaths among Veterans. The OEND program consists of many benefits for Veterans including:⁷

• Educating Veterans on opioid overdose prevention.
• Teaching Veterans how to recognize an opioid overdose.
• Opioid overdose rescue response steps.
• Issuing VA naloxone kits.

Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Veterans

If you or a loved one is a Veteran struggling with opioid addiction, help is available. Research has shown the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.⁹

However, treatment for opioid addiction is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone comes with their own set of needs and experiences, so each treatment plan is designed to fit the patient’s individual needs.

At American Addiction Centers (AAC), we employ evidence-based treatment methods and offer a specialized addiction treatment program for Veterans at each of our treatment centers. AAC rehab facilities are located in many states across the U.S. Each facility offers several levels of addiction treatment, which may include:

• Detoxification.
• Inpatient rehab.
• Outpatient rehab.
• Sober living.
• Aftercare.

AAC is proud to be an authorized community care provider, which allows eligible Veterans to use their VA health benefits to attend drug and alcohol treatment at an AAC facility.

The VA may cover a portion or all of your treatment. There are also several other ways to pay for rehab. If you do not have VA health benefits or other insurance coverage for rehab, our admissions navigators can help you find other payment options.

Contact one of AAC’s rehab facilities and get admitted today. Call now, or securely verify your benefits online.