How Long Does Naloxone Stay In Your System?

Opioids, primarily used in pain management, produce false euphoria and have high abuse potential. Did you know that, on average, 130 Americans die from opioid overdose every day? 

Naloxone (Narcan) has been considered a miracle drug to reduce opioid overdose-related deaths. But it has raised some concerns. Read on as we answer the most commonly asked question:

• How long does Naloxone stay in the system?
• Are there any side effects associated with Naloxone use?
• Can I administer Naloxone?

Naloxone is only used in the case of emergency and is by no means an alternative to opioid addiction treatment. If you or a loved one is suffering from opioid addiction, please call us at 844.445.2565 for complete recovery.

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Naloxone: A Life-Saving Medication For Opioid Overdose 

Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdose. It is commonly known as:

1. Narcan ®
2. Kloxxado ®
3. Evzio ® 

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means that it attaches to the opioid receptors in the brain to block the effects of other abused opioids. It also replaces already-bound opioids to reverse the effects of an overdose.

It is considered a magical drug to prevent opioid overdose deaths because:

1. The administration does not require medical supervision.
2. Available as over-the-counter medication
3. It can reverse the effects of overdose in 1-2 minutes.

How Do You Use Naloxone? 5 Simple Steps To Save A Life

You should remember that administering Naloxone is only one of the steps in saving an individual’s life. If you suspect an overdose, always inform emergency services and call 911 immediately. In the meantime, you can follow these steps to reverse the effects of an overdose:

1. Lay the person on their back. Allow the head to tilt back to open the airway,
2. Hold the nasal spray with your thumb on the bottom and first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
3. Insert the nozzle into the patient’s nostril and press the plunger firmly to dispense the dose.
4. Call 911 immediately and stay with the patient until help arrives. 
5. You may give a dose every 2-3 minutes until the patient responds and help arrives. 

How Long Does Naloxone Stay In Your System?

Now let’s discuss the most frequently asked question: how long does Naloxone stay in your system? Naloxone is a fast-acting opioid antagonist. It has a half-life of only 2-4 minutes, which means that it can reverse the effects of an overdose in up to 4 minutes. 

While it is difficult to give an exact estimate, you can expect the following timeline:

1. Naloxone is effective in the body for 30-90 mins
2. After 6 hours, 40% of the medicine will be excreted through urine
3. After 24-48 hours, 70% of the drug will be metabolized.
4. All metabolites of Narcan may eliminated from the body within a week. 

Factors Affecting The Duration of Naloxone In Your System

Naloxone is metabolized in the liver. Several factors affect the duration. How long does Narcan (Naloxone) stay in the body depends on:

Age

Younger people have faster metabolisms that may process Naloxone quickly compared to older patients. But, since this medication is fast-acting, the relation of age with duration of stay might not make a huge difference.

Weight

Drug metabolism can be affected by an individual’s weight. Naloxone might stay longer in overweight individuals compared to those who are slimmer. 

Physical Health

Better the physical health, faster the metabolism! Naloxone will be excreted effectively from your body quickly compared to those with physical health complications such as liver disease, etc.  

Why is Naloxone Only A Temporary Solution To Opioid Addiction?

Despite the wide availability and miraculous effects in reversing opioid overdose, it is not a complete treatment for opioid addiction. It is just a medication used in case of emergency until medical help arrives. Furthermore, Narcan (Naloxone) is quickly metabolized by the system, whereas opioids such as Fentanyl and Heroin stay in the body for much longer. The effects of Naloxone usually wear off before abuse opioids leave the system.

Since opioids are already present in the body, taking more opioids will drastically increase the chance of a second overdose. So, it is essential to seek treatment for opioid use disorder to prevent opioid overdose.

6 Warning Signs of Opioid Overdose

Naloxone May Produce Withdrawal Symptoms

Naloxone may produce withdrawal symptoms. If you do not seek opioid addiction treatment and use Naloxone too many times, it may cause some withdrawal symptoms such as:

1. Nausea
2. Headache
3. Chills
4. Drug cravings
5. Irritability
6. Anxiety 
7. Digestive issues 

Does Naloxone Have Any Side-Effects?

Yes, Naloxone may produce adverse reactions, which is why it is necessary to call emergency services when administering Naloxone. Some side effects include:

1. Hypertension (high blood pressure)
2. Hypotension (low blood pressure)
3. Cardiac arrest
4. Pulmonary edema (too much fluid in lungs)

Furthermore, using Naloxone repeatedly may also agitate the overdose symptoms.

A Holistic Approach To Opioid Addiction Treatment

Naloxone may have saved your life and given you a second chance at life. Now, what comes next? It is up to you to utilize this second chance productively. Seek help, get better, and become the best version of yourself. 

Some approaches to opioid addiction treatment include:

a. Medical Detox For Safe Drug Abstinence 

Medical opioid detox helps you to withdraw from drugs safely and manages any resultant withdrawal symptoms. It is a great way to manage drug cravings and reduces the chances of a relapse. Some medications that may be prescribed include:

1. Suboxone– It is a combination of Naloxone and Buprenorphine used to reduce drug cravings and maintain sobriety.
2. Methadone– Used in opioid detoxification and recovery maintenance programs. It helps to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce drug cravings.
3. Naltrexone– Used in recovery maintenance programs after detox. 

b. Therapy Can Help You Maintain Sobriety

Medications alone are not enough to treat opioid addiction. Medication-assisted treatment, counseling, therapy, and medical support can sustain recovery. Some behavioral therapies that are beneficial in substance abuse treatment include:

1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
2. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
3. Family Therapy
4. Group Therapy
5. Individual Therapy

Recover With ChoicePoint!

ChoicePoint is a holistic drug and alcohol addiction treatment center. With our telehealth services, we bring sustainable treatment options to you. All you have to do is contact us online or at 844.445.2565. 

If virtual treatment is not for you, we offer inpatient and outpatient programs according to ASAM standards of care. Some benefits of choosing us include:

1. Most insurance accepted
2. High standard treatment
3. Solution-based therapy
4. Virtual counseling is just a click away

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding How Long Does Naloxone Stay in Your System

Clients frequently ask these questions related to how long Naloxone stay in your system.

Is Naloxone an Antidote?

Yes, Naloxone is an antidote. It is an opioid antagonist used to reverse both prescription and illegal opioid overdose.

What is the Naloxone Mechanism of Action?

Opioids bind to the µ-receptors in the body. Naloxone is a competitive inhibitor of these µ- receptors. Meaning it has more affinity for these receptors and, hence, displaces the already-bound opioids, leading to overdose reversal. 

Do I Need a Prescription to Buy Naloxone?

No, Naloxone is available as an over-the-counter medication.

What Are the Contraindications of Naloxone?

There are no major contraindications of Naloxone. There are some reports of hypersensitivity to Naloxone. Other than this, it should be used cautiously in cardiac patients. Furthermore, you should not use any opioids with Naloxone.

What Are the Benefits of Naloxone?

The benefits include:

1. Naloxone can rapidly reverse opioid overdose in less than 4 minutes. 
2. Administration of Naloxone requires no formal training.
3. It is safe to use and has no major contraindications.