Get clear, parent-focused guidance on naloxone signs of overdose in teens, how to use naloxone in an emergency, and the steps to take after giving it.
If you are unsure when to give naloxone to a child, how parents can use naloxone correctly, or where to get it, this quick assessment can help you understand your next steps with more confidence.
Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. For parents, knowing how to use naloxone can make a critical difference while waiting for emergency help. This page is designed to help you recognize possible overdose warning signs, understand naloxone emergency steps for parents, and feel more prepared to respond calmly and quickly.
If a child or teen is hard to wake, not breathing normally, or making choking or gurgling sounds, give naloxone right away and call 911.
If you cannot wake them by calling their name, shaking them, or rubbing your knuckles on their chest, treat it as a possible overdose response situation and use naloxone.
Changes in skin color, especially around the mouth or nails, can be a sign of dangerously low oxygen and a reason to give naloxone immediately.
Use the naloxone device as directed, usually as a nasal spray, as soon as you suspect an opioid overdose. Do not wait for certainty.
Lay them on their side if possible, monitor breathing, and follow dispatcher instructions. Naloxone may wear off before the opioid does.
If there is no response after 2 to 3 minutes, give a second dose if available. Continue to watch them closely until emergency help arrives.
A person can stop breathing again after naloxone wears off, so ongoing monitoring is important even if they seem better.
Some teens may wake up disoriented, upset, or uncomfortable. Try to stay calm, keep them safe, and wait for medical professionals.
After the emergency, get a new supply, check expiration dates, and make sure other caregivers know where naloxone is stored and how to use it.
Many parents can get naloxone from local pharmacies, community health programs, public health departments, or a healthcare provider. Availability varies by state, but in many places you do not need an individual prescription. If naloxone is not already in your home, it is worth finding out where parents can get naloxone in your area before an emergency happens.
Give naloxone right away if you suspect an opioid overdose and the child or teen is very hard to wake, breathing slowly or not at all, or has blue or gray lips or fingertips. If you are unsure, it is generally safer to give naloxone and call 911 than to wait.
Yes. Naloxone is designed so non-medical caregivers, including parents, can use it in an emergency. Many products are nasal sprays with simple instructions. Learning the steps ahead of time can help you act faster under stress.
Common warning signs include very slow or stopped breathing, unusual limpness, inability to wake up, pinpoint pupils, choking or gurgling sounds, and blue or gray skin around the lips or nails. These signs require immediate action.
Call 911 if you have not already, stay with the child or teen, monitor breathing, place them on their side if possible, and give another dose in 2 to 3 minutes if there is no response. Even if they wake up, they still need medical evaluation.
Parents can often get naloxone at pharmacies, through community distribution programs, from healthcare providers, or from local public health agencies. Rules differ by location, so check what is available in your state or county.
Answer a few questions to better understand your confidence using naloxone, when to give it, and the emergency steps to follow if you ever need to respond.
Answer a Few QuestionsExplore more assessments in this topic group.
See related assessments across this category.
Find more parenting assessments by category and topic.
Emergency Response
Emergency Response
Emergency Response
Emergency Response