Naloxone & Opioid Overdose Prevention

What naloxone is, how it reverses an opioid overdose, and how to get a free take-home kit and training at Tartan Pharmacy — no prescription or appointment needed.

What Naloxone Does

Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by temporarily blocking opioid receptors in the brain, restoring normal breathing within minutes in someone who has stopped breathing normally due to opioids — prescription painkillers, fentanyl, heroin, or others.

It has no effect on someone who hasn't taken opioids, and it isn't a substitute for calling 911 — it buys critical time until emergency help arrives.

Who Should Carry a Kit

• ✓Anyone who uses opioids, prescribed or otherwise
• ✓Family members, roommates, or friends of someone who uses opioids
• ✓Anyone prescribed a high-dose opioid for pain management
• ✓Anyone who wants to be prepared to help in an emergency — you don't need a personal connection to opioid use to carry one

Recognizing an Overdose

How to Use a Naloxone Kit

1. 1Call 911 immediately — say you suspect an opioid overdose
2. 2Administer naloxone — nasal spray is sprayed into one nostril; injectable is given into the outer thigh or arm muscle
3. 3Perform rescue breathing or CPR if you're trained and the person isn't breathing
4. 4Wait 2–3 minutes — if there's no response, give a second dose
5. 5Stay with them until paramedics arrive — naloxone wears off before some opioids do, so symptoms can return

Get a Free Kit at Tartan Pharmacy

Ontario's Naloxone Program provides take-home kits at no cost, with no prescription required. Just ask at the counter — our pharmacist will walk you through how to use it, answer any questions, and get you out the door in a few minutes. No judgment, no questions about why you're asking.

Related Guides