Naloxone Hydrochloride, Nasal

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is sprayed in the nose to reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose. Use it exactly as directed.
• This medicine may cause serious heart, skin, or eye problems, or other unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: narcotic antagonist

Generic and brand names: naloxone hydrochloride, nasal; Narcan

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is sprayed in the nose to reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose. The medicine has no effect in people who are not taking narcotic medicines.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Head or brain injury or disease
• Heart disease
• Kidney or liver disease
• Problems with drug or alcohol abuse
• Seizures

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without discussing with your healthcare provider.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about how to use this medicine. Be sure you know when to use the medicine and how to use the spray. Carefully follow the instructions in the medicine package. If you are not sure how to use this medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

People who may have to give this medicine in a narcotic overdose emergency should know where the medicine is stored and how to give the medicine before an emergency happens. Each spray contains only 1 dose of medicine. Do NOT prime the spray before using.

Give this medicine right away after a suspected or known overdose of a narcotic medicine. Get emergency medical help right away after giving a dose of this medicine. You may need to do CPR or rescue breathing while waiting for emergency medical help.

Breathing problems, severe sleepiness, or not being able to respond can come back after this medicine is given. If this happens, give another dose after 2 to 3 minutes with a new sprayer in the other nostril. Watch the person closely until emergency help arrives.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

You need to be watched very closely after you receive this medicine. After use of this medicine, someone should call 911 right away, even if you wake up. This medicine may cause withdrawal symptoms or may wear off before the narcotic leaves your system. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Chest pain; severe headache; trouble breathing; severe dizziness or fainting; withdrawal symptoms (fast or irregular heartbeat, body aches, diarrhea, fever, runny nose, sneezing, sweating, yawning, goose bumps, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, restlessness or irritability, trembling, stomach cramps, weakness, seizures, excessive crying or severe muscle twitching in infants).

Other: Mild headache, muscle pain, nasal dryness, stuffy nose.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Cough, cold, or allergy medicines such as guaifenesin/codeine (Cheratussin), hydrocodone/chlorpheniramine (Tussionex), and hydrocodone/homatropine
• Methylnaltrexone (Relistor)
• Naloxegol (Movantik)
• Narcotic pain medicines such as buprenorphine (Buprenex, Butrans), codeine, fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, Sublimaze), hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), meperidine (Demerol), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Roxicet), and pentazocine (Talwin)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature in its original box. Keep it nearby so that it can be used quickly to treat an overdose. Replace this medicine before the expiration date. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.