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Evzio

Generic name: naloxone [ nah-LOX-one ]
Brand names: Evzio, Narcan
Drug class: Antidotes

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 23, 2023.

The Evzio brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.

What is Evzio?

Evzio blocks or reverses the effects of opioid medication, including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.

Evzio auto-injector is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of an opioid emergency such as an overdose with signs of breathing problems and severe sleepiness or not being able to respond.

Evzio should not be used in place of emergency medical care for an overdose.

Naloxone is also used to help diagnose whether a person has used an overdose of an opioid.

Warnings

In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.

Evzio may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

If you are using any narcotic pain medication, the pain-relieving effects of the narcotic will be reversed while you are also receiving Evzio.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Evzio.

Before receiving Evzio

You should not receive Evzio if you are allergic to naloxone.

If possible before you receive a Evzio injection, tell your doctor if you have heart disease.

It is not known whether Evzio will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether naloxone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medicine.

Evzio pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

How is Evzio given?

Evzio is injected into a muscle, under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. The injection may be given by a healthcare provider, emergency medical provider, or a family member or caregiver who is trained to properly give an injection.

If you are a caregiver or family member giving an Evzio injection, read all instructions when you first get this medicine. If provided, use the "trainer" device to practice giving an injection so you will know how to do it in an emergency. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Be sure you know how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose in the person you are caring for. Overdose symptoms may include:

Even if you are not sure an opioid overdose has occurred, if the person is not breathing or is unresponsive, give the Evzio injection right away and then seek emergency medical care.

Do not assume that an overdose episode has ended if symptoms improve. You must get emergency help after giving an injection.

Evzio injected into a muscle is given in the outer thigh. In an emergency, you may give an injection through the person's clothing.

After injecting Evzio, stay with the person and watch for continued signs of overdose. You may need to give another injection every 2 to 3 minutes until emergency help arrives. Follow all medication instructions carefully.

Each Evzio auto-injector is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting a dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the auto-injector in its outer case until you are ready to use it. Do not use Evzio if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medication.

Detailed Evzio dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive Evzio in an emergency situation, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Evzio?

Avoid leaving a person alone after giving him or her an Evzio injection. An overdose can impair a person's thinking or reactions.

Evzio side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to naloxone: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Because Evzio reverses opioid effects, this medicine may cause sudden withdrawal symptoms such as:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Evzio side effects (more detail)

What other drugs will affect Evzio?

Other drugs may interact with naloxone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Evzio drug interactions (more detail)

Popular FAQ

Naloxone blocks opioid receptors from 30 to 120 minutes, but this can be variable and depends upon the dose and how it is given. Some patients may need repeat doses of naloxone. Continue reading

Narcan (naloxone) is available in different dose forms and can be given either as an injection or a nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose. Continue reading

Narcan (naloxone) works in an overdose by reversing serious or deadly central nervous system (CNS) depression due to opioids (narcotics), including depressed breathing, extreme drowsiness and loss of consciousness. This effect usually occurs in minutes. Naloxone is considered a pure opioid antagonist and it works by blocking opioid receptors in the body. Continue reading

Naloxone is not a controlled substance, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It is an opioid antagonist used to treat known or suspected opioid overdose, and naloxone nasal spray (sold under the brand name, Narcan) was FDA-approved for sale over-the-counter on March 29th, 2023. It should be available for purchase in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online, without a prescription from late summer. Narcan Nasal Spray and naloxone is still available from the pharmacist in all 50 states without a prescription from your doctor.

Naloxone is a centrally acting opioid receptor antagonist. Naloxone binds with the highest affinity to the mu-opioid receptor subtype in the central nervous system (CNS). Naloxone works to reverse opioid overdose and a form of naloxone (Narcan nasal spray) was FDA-approved for over-the-counter (OTC) sale on 29th March 2023.

There are several ways to get free Narcan (naloxone) emergency kits, which include, local syringe exchange programs, your insurance company, and state and local health departments or other community health services. Continue reading

Buprenorphine and naloxone is a combination medicine used for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence in adults. It is available in sublingual film and sublingual tablet dosage forms under the brand names Suboxone, Zubsolv, Bunavail (discontinued), and Cassipa (discontinued). Continue reading

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Evzio only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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