Recognizing and Responding to an Opioid Overdose

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone is easy to use and small to carry. There are two forms of naloxone that anyone can use without medical training or authorization: prefilled nasal spray and injectable. See the Medications to Reverse Overdose page for more information on these medications.

What is Naloxone

Five Essential Steps in Responding to an Opioid Overdose

It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life.

  1. Call 911 Immediately.͙
  2. Administer naloxone, if available.
  3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
  4. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
  5. Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.

Naloxone is very powerful and works quickly. When administered soon after someone starts experiencing an overdose, the person will usually wake up within one to three minutes. Repeat administration of naloxone may be necessary.

͙Naloxone is a temporary treatment, and its effects do not last long, thus it is extremely important to still call 911. After giving someone naloxone and calling 911, stay with the person, even if they are conscious, until emergency medical help arrives. The person could lapse back into unconsciousness and might need another dose of naloxone. Keep trying to wake them up and keep them breathing. Also, lay the person on their side to prevent them from choking if they are unconscious.

Be Prepared to Respond to an Overdose

How to Obtain Naloxone

To find naloxone in your area through a filterable search engine, use the AHCCCS Opioid Service Locator

Pharmacy pick-up: The Director of Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) issued a standing order on November 11, 2017 that allows any Arizona-licensed pharmacist to dispense one of the three forms of naloxone to any individual without a prescription. Arizonans can pick up naloxone at all pharmacy locations across the state.

Anyone covered by AHCCCS can obtain naloxone from any AHCCCS-contracted pharmacy as a covered medication with no co-pay.

Free naloxone pick-up

Request free Naloxone by mail

Arizona Good Samaritan Law

Arizona Revised Statutes

ARS 13-3423. Medical assistance requests; prohibited prosecution of Good Samaritans; mitigating factor; definitions

A. A person who, in good faith, seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose may not be charged or prosecuted for the possession or use of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia or a preparatory offense if the evidence for the violation was gained as a result of the person's seeking medical assistance.

B. A person who experiences a drug-related overdose, who is in need of medical assistance and for whom medical assistance is sought pursuant to subsection A of this section may not be charged or prosecuted for the possession or use of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia if the evidence for the violation was gained as a result of the person's overdose and need for medical assistance.