What is the initial dose of Narcan by the EMT?

What is the initial dose of Narcan by the EMT?

• A. 0.5 mg per nostril
• B. 2 mg per nostril
• C. 1 mg per nostril
• D. 1 mg IV

Answer: (C)

Naloxone reverses opioid effects by displacing opioids at receptor sites, and in the field the nasal route is used for speed and ease. The standard initial dose given intranasally is 1 mg per nostril, for a total of 2 mg if both nostrils are used. This starting amount is small enough to start reversing respiratory depression quickly while allowing you to judge the patient’s response and avoid unnecessary overdose. If there’s not a sufficient effect after a few minutes, you can repeat doses—often another 1 mg per nostril—per protocol until there is improvement or an upper limit is reached. The intranasal approach avoids injections and is designed for rapid, titratable reversal, which is why this 1 mg per nostril starting point is the best choice.

Naloxone reverses opioid effects by displacing opioids at receptor sites, and in the field the nasal route is used for speed and ease. The standard initial dose given intranasally is 1 mg per nostril, for a total of 2 mg if both nostrils are used. This starting amount is small enough to start reversing respiratory depression quickly while allowing you to judge the patient’s response and avoid unnecessary overdose. If there’s not a sufficient effect after a few minutes, you can repeat doses—often another 1 mg per nostril—per protocol until there is improvement or an upper limit is reached. The intranasal approach avoids injections and is designed for rapid, titratable reversal, which is why this 1 mg per nostril starting point is the best choice.