Opioid Safety

What is an opioid overdose?

Opioids can cause bad reactions that make your breathing slow or even stop. This can happen if your body can’t handle the opioids that you take that day.

To avoid an accidental opioid overdose:

• Try not to mix your opioids with alcohol, benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium), or medicines that make you sleepy
• Be extra careful if you miss or change doses, feel ill or start new medications

In case of overdose:

1. Check responsiveness – Look for any of the following:

• No response even if you shake them or say their name
• Breathing slows or stops
• Lips and fingernails turn blue or gray
• Skin gets pale or clammy

2. Call 911 and give naloxone
If no reaction in three minutes, give second naloxone dose

3. Do rescue breathing
Follow 911 dispatcher instructions and stay with person until help arrives

Nasal spray
This nasal spray needs no assembly and can be sprayed up one nostril by pushing the plunger.

Nasal spray with assembly
This requires assembly, follow the instructions provided.

Injectable naloxone
This requires assembly, follow the instructions provided.