How naloxone reverses opioid overdoses (and why it’s important to have on hand!)

Naloxone is an “opioid antagonist” medicine. It attaches to opioid receptors in the brain to reverse and block the effects of opioids. Opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine, to name a few. When someone overdoses on opioids, their breathing can slow or stop altogether. Naloxone can quickly and safely restore regular breathing.