Can IM administration of Narcan in a cardiac arrest victim be helpful?

Narcan is used in respiratory failure due to opiate overdose. It will help as it stops the opiate's resp depression abilities. It does nothing specific for the heart. It is given IV in most cases.

Narcan is an antidote to opiate-based drugs (morphine, fentanyl). If a person has not ingested these drugs (or taken them in another manner), Narcan will not have any effect.

It is often given in situations where a person has overdosed on drugs of this nature.

EMT

Hey there! Narcan, as is mentioned by the others, is an antidote for narcotics. It is not, however, listed in any ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) protocols as a treatment for cardiac arrest. If someone is in cardiac arrest, anything given IM is futile until adequate circulation is restored. Hope this helps!

Narcan is used for narcotic overdoses. At least in NYS, it is not in our protocol to use it in the event of cardiac arrest. In fact, if used on someone with a cardiac history, which we do not always have knowledge of depending on the circumstances, there is a risk.

Narcan is a narcotic antagonist. It is given through an IV to reverse the effects of pain medications that can suppress the respiratory system or, if a patient cannot be aroused because they are heavily sedated. This is NOT used during a cardiac arrest. On of the adverse reactions of Narcan can cause ventricular fibrillation , this condition would result in a cardiac arrest. In this situation, a code would be called. I hope that this helps.