What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Narcan® Injection. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you being given Narcan® Injection against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given Narcan® Injection, ask your doctor.
Keep this leaflet in a safe place.
You may need to read it again.
What Narcan® Injection is used for
Narcan® Injection belongs to a group of medicines called opioid antagonists.
Narcan® Injection works by reversing the effects of opium-like substances such as morphine, heroin and codeine.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Narcan® Injection has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Before you are given Narcan® Injection
When you must not be given Narcan® Injection
You should not be given Narcan® Injection if you have an allergy to:
- any medicine containing naloxone hydrochloride
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin.
You should not be given Narcan® Injection if the solution is discoloured, cloudy, turbid or a precipitate is present.
The injection is normally a clear and colourless solution.
The doctor or your healthcare professional will check to ensure the medicine is not past its expiry date and has not been tampered with.
If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given Narcan® Injection
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- heart disease
- lung disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- drug addiction (including an addiction to alcohol).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given Narcan® Injection.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket, health food shop, naturopath or herbalist.
These include but are not limited to:
- pain killers
- cough and cold remedies
- alcohol
- heart or blood pressure medications.
These medicines may be affected by Narcan® Injection or may affect how well Narcan® Injection works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while being given this medicine.
How Narcan® Injection is given
Narcan® Injection must only be given by a doctor or a healthcare professional.
How it is given
Narcan® Injection can be given:
- as an injection into a muscle (intramuscular),
- just under the skin (subcutaneous) or
- as a slow injection into a vein (intravenous).
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose of Narcan® Injection you will receive and how long you will receive it for. This depends on your medical condition and other factors.
Sometimes only a single dose of Narcan® Injection is required.
If you are given too much (overdose)
As Narcan® Injection is always given to you in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor, it is unlikely that you will receive an overdose.
Symptoms of an overdose may be the same as side effects but may be more severe. The symptoms of a side effect are listed under Side effects below.
If you notice any symptoms of an overdose immediately contact your doctor or go to the Emergency Department at the nearest hospital.
Contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for further advice on overdose management.
While you are being given Narcan® Injection
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and healthcare professional that you have been given Narcan® Injection.
Tell any other doctors or dentists, who treat you that you have been given Narcan® Injection.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you have been given Narcan® Injection.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while being given this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are being given this medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
If you are on a salt restricted diet, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Your diet may need to be changed.
Things to be careful of
Do not drive or operate machinery after you have been given Narcan® Injection for at least 24 hours (1 day).
Do not drink alcohol while you are being given this medicine.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly.
Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from a bed or a chair, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given Narcan® Injection.
This medicine helps most people reverse the life threatening opioid overdose, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- pain at the site of injection.
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- sweating
- tremor
- increased heart rate
- nervousness or restlessness
- irritability or restlessness
- violent behaviour or agitation
The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor or healthcare professional immediately:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or further hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare.
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After being given Narcan® Injection
Storage
Narcan® Injection will be stored in the hospital. The injection is kept in a cool dry place, protected from light where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Narcan® Injection will only be opened when it is time for you to have the injection.
Product description
What it looks like
Narcan® Injection is a clear, colourless solution in ampoules of 2 mL capacity.
Ingredients
Narcan® Injection contains 400 micrograms of naloxone hydrochloride in 1 mL Water for injections.
It also contains:
- sodium chloride.
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine, alcohol, dyes or preservatives.
Supplier
Narcan® Injection is supplied in Australia by:
Phebra Pty Ltd
19 Orion Road,
Lane Cove West, NSW 2066,
Australia

Narcan® (naloxone hydrochloride 400 micrograms in 1 mL) injection ampoule
AUST R 57306
Phebra product code INJ174
This leaflet was prepared in February 2013
Phebra, Narcan and the phi symbol are trademarks of Phebra Pty Ltd.