What is the opioid crisis?
What you need to know to help others.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist (which means it’s a substance that stops the physiological effects of something) that is indicated for emergency use to reverse a known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or severe central nervous system depression.

Opioid antagonists, like naloxone, work by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids attach to, effectively preventing the opioid from attaching and working on the receptor, which results in reversing the symptoms and effects from the overdose. Naloxone does not live in the body as long as opioids do, so it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention even after receiving naloxone, as those suffering from an overdose may seem fully recovered only to require additional naloxone minutes or hours later.

Download Naloxone Guide (English)

Currently, there are two types of naloxone available for use by the Canadian public. The first is an injectable version, which contains 0.4 mg/ml of naloxone, and is used primarily by healthcare professionals, first responders and front-line workers like EMS, police, doctors, and harm reduction workers. It is also available to the public after receiving training on the proper administration process.

Note: if an opioid overdose is suspected, call 911 immediately, and
proceed to administering naloxone as described below.

Steps to giving a naloxone injection:

• Call 911
• Peel back the packaging to remove the syringe.
• Locate the ampoule opener or the alcohol swab.
• Break open the naloxone ampoule using the opener or alcohol swab to protect your thumb.
  • Ensure you break the ampoule away from your body using your thumb to apply pressure.
• With the open ampoule in one hand and the syringe in the other, insert the syringe into the ampoule and draw up all of the naloxone.
  • Take note of where you set down the glass ampoule.
• Inject all of the naloxone into the upper arm muscle or upper or outer part of the thigh muscle of the victim.
  • You can do so through clothes as long as they are not too bulky to penetrate into the muscle.
• Start chest compressions and rescue breathing, and/or CPR as trained, and ensure you or someone calls 911.

The second, is a nasal spray version, an alternative to the injectable version which contains either 2 mg/0.1mL or 4 mg/0.1mL of naloxone, and can be administered by a bystander.

Steps to giving a dose of naloxone nasal spray:

• Call 911
• Peel back the package to remove the device.
• Place and hold the tip of the nozzle in either nostril until your fingers touch the bottom of the patients nose.
• Press the plunger firmly to release the dose into the patients nose.
• Give a second dose after 2 to 3 minutes if the person has not woken up or their breathing is not improved. Alternate nostrils with each dose. You can give a dose every 2 to 3 minutes, if more are available and are needed.
• Start chest compressions and rescue breathing, and/or CPR as trained, and ensure you or someone calls 911.

Both naloxone nasal spray and injectable naloxone are available behind the counter at pharmacies. In Ontario and Quebec, residents can get either type of naloxone for free without prescription or providing any form of government issued ID. For instructions on how to pick-up your free naloxone kit, please visit your local pharmacy.

A quick guide poster for schools, offices, anywhere an opioid overdose could take place, and anywhere naloxone can be found.

Download Quick Guide Poster (English)