Who should carry naloxone?
Anyone taking an opioid can experience an overdose. However, people considered at highest risk of overdose include those who:
- Take opioids at the same time as certain other medications such as anxiety medications, sleeping medications or muscle relaxants. These can include alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium, Valtoco, Diastat), lorazepam (Ativan, Loreev XR)
- Have heart or lung problems or problems such as emphysema, obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure.
- Have kidney or liver problems.
- Use alcohol.
- Have an addiction to opioids or inject them
If any of these apply to you, ask your provider to write you a prescription for naloxone. Naloxone is also available without a prescription at pharmacies in most states. It is also available over the counter but costs may be higher than obtaining from a pharmacist.
If you overdose, it is unlikely that you will be able to give yourself naloxone. For this reason, if you take opioids, share this information right away with:
- Caregivers.
- People who live with you.
- People who spend a lot of time with you.
- People who might be there during an emergency.
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