St. Tammany Parish Coroner demonstrates proper Narcan use

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Narcan is a small product, but it’s mighty enough to stop the effects of an opioid overdose.

“Those can cause death by causing respiratory depression. This actually reverses it because it binds the same receptors as the opioids, but it competes for it and allows your body to detoxify itself,” Dr. Christopher Tape said.

To use it, all you have to do is aim the tip into the person’s nose and press the button, releasing the spray.

Then you turn the user to their side until they are awake.

It is still important to get the user to the hospital as quick as possible.

“It doesn’t actually last as long as fentanyl, so once this wears off, the fentanyl can come back and can cause an overdose still. That’s why it’s important to still cause 911,” Tape said.

According to Dr. Tape, Narcan spray units often come in 4 milligrams. It is not harmful for a person to inhale more than one dose.

It is recommended to spray doses into alternating nostrils every 2 to 3 minutes until emergency medical assistance becomes available.

Narcan is also completely harmless even when the user is not overdosing on opioids.

“It’s important to have these around. If you have somebody unconscious, it doesn’t hurt to give them Narcan,” Tape said.

Narcan is also readily available, often given out for free at police stations, fire stations or even at the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s office.

If you are still unable to find any in person, you can also buy it online.

“How many times can you really save somebody? Such a simple thing; such a cheap way to save somebody. I mean $45. That’s cheap to save somebody’s life,” Tape said.

Latest Posts