Correcting 8 Common Myths About Naloxone

Myths about naloxone are common, so you need to get the facts. In this blog, learn more about life-saving naloxone and how it reverses the effects of opioids.

What is Naloxone HCI?

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can quickly reverse the powerful effects of opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine.¹ (Kloxxado^® (naloxone HCl) nasal spray 8 mg is one example of an intranasal naloxone product that is safe, portable, and easy to have on hand.²) Although naloxone has been used as an effective antidote to opioid overdose for more than 50 years, myths about naloxone are common.^3-6 Read on to find out more about the myths about naloxone, as well as the facts about this important medicine.

Naloxone Myth #1: I might get in trouble if I give someone naloxone

If you’re reluctant to give another person naloxone because you don’t want to get in trouble with law enforcement, chances are you have nothing to worry about.⁷ Many states have Good Samaritan laws in place that may protect a person who gives naloxone to someone experiencing an overdose.⁷ These laws, which vary by state, may also protect individuals from prosecution or arrest for drug possession or use.⁷ If you encounter someone you believe to be experiencing an opioid overdose and naloxone is available, you should administer it to them.¹ It could be a matter of life or death.

Myth #2: One dose of naloxone is enough to reverse an overdose

Unfortunately, a single 4-mg dose of naloxone is not always enough to successfully reverse an opioid overdose.^8,9 In fact, research shows that the percentage of opioid overdose events where 2 or more 4-mg doses of naloxone nasal spray were used is rising—from 35% in a 2016 study⁹ to as high as 78% in a 2021 study⁹. The surge of illicitly-manufactured fentanyl flooding this country may be to blame.¹⁰ Kloxxado^®, which contains twice as much naloxone per spray as Narcan^® (Naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 4 mg, is powerful enough to counteract fentanyl.^2,11

Myth #3: Naloxone encourages more drug use or riskier drug use

Some people are concerned that making naloxone widely available could reduce the negative consequences of substance abuse.⁴ Others worry that the availability of naloxone might encourage riskier usage patterns.⁴ Research, however, shows that neither necessarily is true.⁴ In fact, some studies have shown that access to naloxone may result in decreased use of opioids.^4,7 How and why is not entirely clear, but it is believed that the availability of naloxone may actually promote safer opioid usage.⁷

Myth #4: Naloxone is another drug that can be abused

Naloxone is not addictive, and it cannot be taken in advance of drug use to prevent an overdose.¹² It should also be noted that naloxone generally will not have any effect on or cause additional harm to someone in the midst of a medical emergency caused by something other than an opioid overdose (such as a diabetic coma or cardiac arrest).¹ Naloxone has been used to address opioid overdoses for decades.³ If you think that someone is overdosing, you should not hesitate to give them naloxone.¹

Myth #5: Naloxone prevents substance users from seeking treatment

Some people believe that providing naloxone to reverse an overdose in a non-medical setting (such as a home) could encourage the person who was revived to continue using and/or put off seeking help for their substance use disorder.⁵ There is, however, no evidence to support this notion.⁵ To the contrary, a near-death experience brought on by an opioid overdose may be the motivation a person needs to seek treatment and maintain recovery.

Myth #6: Naloxone makes people violent

People with physical dependence on opioids may experience withdrawal symptoms within minutes after they are given naloxone.¹⁴ These symptoms may include headaches, changes in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting and shaking.¹³ It is unusual, however, for someone to wake up from an overdose and become violent or combative.^14,15

Myth #7: Only healthcare professionals are qualified to give naloxone

You do not need medical training to give naloxone to someone who has overdosed.³

If you find yourself in the presence of someone experiencing an opioid overdose, call 911 and give them naloxone right away.¹² After you give the naloxone, stay with the person.¹² Try to keep them awake and breathing, and lay them on their side until emergency medical care arrives.¹² 

Watch a videoe on how to use naloxone now.

Myth #8: Naloxone is hard to get

Naloxone is available in all 50 states.¹⁶ (Kloxxado^®, for example, is widely available and with the Kloxxado^® Savings Card, you could pay as little as $0* for it.) Ask your doctor or pharmacist about keeping naloxone on hand for emergencies if you or someone you know is taking prescribed opioids or using illicit opioids.¹⁶ The cost of naloxone varies depending on where and how you obtain it, your insurance coverage (if you are insured) and other factors.¹⁶ If money is a concern, contact your local health department. There may be community programs in your area that provide naloxone for free or at a reduced cost.¹⁶

*Maximum value of $40 per box. The Kloxxado^® Savings Card is not health insurance. See complete eligibility and restrictions at Kloxxado.com.

Kloxxado^® is a registered trademark of Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

Narcan^® is a registered trademark of Emergent Operations Ireland Limited.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Kloxxado^® for complete product details.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Hikma’s recommendations, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a full list of resources and their attributing links, see below.

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