Naloxone is a medication that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It can stop an overdose from opioids such as heroin, morphine and oxycodone from becoming deadly. It should be administered when a patient shows signs of an opioid overdose. This lifesaving medication can be given as a nasal spray, intramuscularly (into the muscle), subcutaneous (under the skin), or as an intravenous injection.
Naloxone is effective if opioids are misused in combination with other sedatives or stimulants. It is not effective in treating overdoses of benzodiazepines or stimulant overdoses involving cocaine and amphetamines.
