Reverse an Opioid Overdose

South Dakota Resource Hotline 1-800-920-4343

Anyone taking a prescription opioid is at risk for an overdose, whether unintentional or not. If you have opioids in your home (like fentanyl, hydrocodone, morphine, or codeine), there are things you can do to keep loved ones safe:

IF YOU SUSPECT AN OVERDOSE, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!

Good Samaritan laws are in place to protect people helping others in distress.

In case of OVERDOSE: Naloxone SAVES LIVES!

Anyone at risk of an opioid-related overdose or those who could assist a person in an emergency situation can get naloxone from a South Dakota pharmacy without a prescription.

Naloxone is a safe medication used to reverse opioid overdose. It quickly restores normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications.

In an emergency, you could save someone’s life with naloxone.

Naloxone is not a substitute for medical care. Call 911 for emergency medical help immediately after giving the first dose of naloxone, even if the person wakes up.

What is NARCAN® Nasal Spray?

NARCAN® Nasal Spray contains naloxone which can be used to temporarily reverse opioid overdose. Anyone can administer NARCAN®. It has no potential for abuse or addiction.

Narcan Nasal Spray
How Do I Get NARCAN® Nasal Spray?

In South Dakota, as of October 1, 2020:

Any person who is at risk of an opioid-related overdose or is able to assist an at-risk person (a family member or friend) can get NARCAN® (or a generic naloxone equivalent) from a pharmacy without a prescription.

Simply call your pharmacy and ask if they are participating in the statewide standing order for naloxone.

  • For those with insurance (including Medicaid): Naloxone will be covered by the payor source.
  • For those without the ability to pay (no insurance/3rd party payor source) or if you are experiencing financial circumstances that impact your ability to pay, you can get Naloxone for FREE at participating pharmacies.

Find a Naloxone Pharmacy Near You

Naloxone for South Dakota Employers

During 2023 South Dakota Legislative Session, effective July 1, 2023, House Bill 1162 authorized employers to acquire and make available opioid antagonists. If you are an employer looking to obtain the appropriate training to recognize the symptoms of an overdose and respond quickly, you can access the free training and appropriate resources and guidance on how to obtain naloxone using the link below.

Naloxone for Employers Training

How to Use Naloxone

There are 3 ways to give Naloxone to someone experiencing an overdose:

1. Narcan® Nasal Spray

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

2. Injectable Naloxone

Injectable Naloxone is recommended primarily for first-responder or EMS use.

1.
Remove cap from Naloxone vial and uncover the needle.

2.
Insert needle through rubber plug with vial upside down. Pull back on plunger and draw up 1ml of Naloxone.

3.
Insert the needle into the muscle of the upper arm or thigh, through clothing if needed, and push on the plunger to inject the Naloxone.

4.
Repeat the injection if no response after 3 minutes.

3. Auto-Injector

Available to first responders only.

  1. Pull the auto-injector from outer case.
  2. Pull off the red safety guard.
  3. Place the black end of the auto-injector against outer thigh, through clothing if needed. Press firmly and hold in place for 5 seconds.
  4. Repeat if there is no response after 3 minutes.
USING NALOXONE IS NOT A SUBSTITUE FOR MEDICAL CARE

It should only be used in emergency overdose situations. Get medical help right away after giving the first dose of Naloxone—even if the person wakes up, symptoms may return. Repeat doses may be necessary.

FREE Naloxone Training

It is important for anyone in the position to assist someone who could experience an opioid overdose be trained on how to recognize the symptoms and respond quickly—you just might save a life.

Anyone in South Dakota can learn how to recognize the symptoms of an overdose and how to respond quickly by watching the following training video. This training video was developed by the Department of Health in partnership with the Department of Social Services.

During the training, you will learn skills such as:

• How opioids work and the risk factors involved
• How to recognize and safely address an opioid overdose, and provide basic life support care
• Proper Naloxone storage and use
• How the law protects you and your rights when administering Naloxone

Will Good Samaritan Laws Protect Me if I Administer NARCAN®?

Good Samaritan laws are in place in South Dakota to protect people who offer aid to those in distress. Additionally, NARCAN® is not a controlled substance, so people should not be reluctant to use it to help others who may be in an overdose situation.

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