In the face of rising rates of drug overdose, one name has become a household lifeline: Narcan. This fast-acting medication has saved thousands of lives by reversing the deadly effects of opioid overdoses. However, its role is often misunderstood, especially when it comes to non-opioid substances like Xanax, leading to questions like “does Narcan work on Xanax?” The answer is no. This article will explain.
What Is Narcan?
Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, a life-saving medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. It works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain and restoring normal breathing in someone whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to opioid use.
Narcan is most commonly administered as a nasal spray, though it can also be injected. Because of its fast-acting nature and ease of use, it’s widely carried by first responders, harm reduction workers, and increasingly, by everyday individuals concerned about the risk of overdose in their community or household.
However, Narcan only works on opioid overdoses—it is not a universal antidote for all drug overdoses. This distinction is crucial when discussing substances like Xanax, which belongs to a completely different class of drugs.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a prescription medication used primarily to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which act on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. Xanax is the most prescribed benzodiazepine and one of the most prescribed prescription drugs in America.
Unlike opioids, Xanax does not bind to opioid receptors. Instead, it enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which slows down brain activity. While effective when used as prescribed, Xanax has a high potential for dependence, misuse, and overdose, especially when combined with other depressants like alcohol or opioids.
Does Narcan Work on Xanax?
No—Narcan does not work for a Xanax overdose. This is because Narcan (naloxone) is specifically designed to reverse the effects of opioids, such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and displacing the opioid molecules, which reverses respiratory depression.
Xanax, however, is a benzodiazepine, not an opioid. It affects the brain through a different mechanism and does not respond to naloxone. In the case of a Xanax overdose—especially one involving slowed or stopped breathing—emergency medical intervention is still required, but Narcan will not reverse the effects.
That said, if a person has taken both opioids and benzodiazepines, Narcan can still be life-saving by reversing the opioid part of the overdose. However, it will not address the effects of Xanax on its own.
What Drug Overdoses Can Narcan Help With?
Narcan (naloxone) is effective in reversing opioid overdoses, which can cause life-threatening respiratory depression. It is not a general antidote for all drugs, but it is highly effective when opioids are involved.
Below are some of the specific substances Narcan can counteract:
Heroin
Heroin is an illegal opioid that is rapidly converted into morphine in the body. It binds to opioid receptors and can severely slow or stop breathing. Narcan works by displacing heroin from those receptors, helping to restore normal respiration and potentially saving a person’s life.
Morphine
As a powerful prescription opioid, morphine is often used for pain management in clinical settings. In cases of overdose, morphine can depress the central nervous system to dangerous levels. Narcan is frequently used in hospitals and emergency settings to reverse morphine’s effects.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a widely prescribed opioid found in medications like OxyContin and Percocet. It poses a high risk for overdose, particularly when misused or combined with other depressants. Narcan can be highly effective in reversing an oxycodone overdose, especially when administered promptly.
Hydrocodone
Commonly found in medications like Vicodin and Norco, hydrocodone is another opioid painkiller that can slow breathing when taken in high doses. Narcan can counteract the life-threatening effects of a hydrocodone overdose and is often used in emergency response scenarios.
Why Are Opioids Dangerous?
Opioids are powerful drugs used to relieve pain, but their high potential for dependence and overdose makes them particularly dangerous. Whether prescribed (like oxycodone and hydrocodone) or illicit (like heroin or fentanyl), opioids act directly on the brain’s reward system, producing intense feelings of euphoria. This effect can quickly lead to misuse, as individuals chase that same sensation.
One of the most serious risks of opioid use is respiratory depression. Opioids slow down the body’s automatic functions—including breathing. In high doses, or when combined with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines, breathing can slow to a dangerous level or stop altogether. This is what makes opioid overdoses so deadly and what necessitates immediate intervention with medications like Narcan.
Under the Controlled Substances Act, opioids are mostly either Schedule I or Schedule II, meaning they are very highly restricted due to the severe danger of addiction and overdose.
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What Are the Dangers of Xanax Abuse?
While Xanax (alprazolam) is effective when taken as prescribed, misusing or abusing it can be extremely dangerous. As a benzodiazepine, Xanax slows brain activity and induces a calming effect—but in high doses or when combined with other substances, it can cause severe sedation, confusion, respiratory depression, and even death.
Some key dangers of Xanax abuse include:
- Addiction and dependence – The brain can become reliant on the calming effects, leading to tolerance and physical dependence.
- Withdrawal risks – Stopping Xanax suddenly after prolonged use can trigger seizures, insomnia, and extreme anxiety, making professional detox often necessary.
- Cognitive impairment – Chronic misuse is linked to memory issues, impaired coordination, and slower reaction times.
- Dangerous drug interactions – Combining Xanax with opioids, alcohol, or other depressants significantly increases the risk of fatal respiratory depression.
Xanax overdoses are especially concerning because there is no reversal agent like Narcan that works on benzodiazepines. Treatment usually involves supportive care in a hospital setting to stabilize breathing and heart function.
What To Do When Someone Is Overdosing
Recognizing and responding to an overdose quickly can mean the difference between life and death. Whether it’s an opioid like heroin or fentanyl, or a benzodiazepine like Xanax, acting fast is critical.
While Narcan can reverse opioid overdoses, it is useless against benzodiazepines. However, the steps below apply to both scenarios and can buy vital time until emergency services arrive.
How to Use Narcan for an Opioid Overdose
If you suspect the person has overdosed on an opioid—especially if they’re unresponsive, breathing slowly or not at all, or have blue lips or fingertips—administer Narcan if available.
How to Use Narcan to Stop an Overdose:
- Lay the person on their back.
- Peel back the packaging to open the Narcan nasal spray.
- Insert the nozzle into one nostril and press the plunger firmly.
- Wait 2–3 minutes. If there’s no response, administer another dose.
- Continue to monitor breathing. If breathing does not improve, begin rescue breathing or CPR if you’re trained.
Narcan works within minutes and can restore normal breathing temporarily, but it’s not a substitute for medical care.
Call Emergency Services
Call 911 immediately, even if Narcan revives the person. Overdoses can reoccur once Narcan wears off, and benzodiazepine overdoses—like from Xanax—require hospital-based support since Narcan won’t help. Tell the dispatcher what substances may be involved and follow their instructions.
Check for a Pulse and Monitor Breathing
If the person is not breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR if you’re trained: one breath every five or six seconds. If no pulse is detected, start chest compressions immediately.
If you’re unsure, continue monitoring and prepare to relay updates to paramedics.
Keep Their Airway Clear
If the person is unconscious but breathing, turn them onto their side in the recovery position to prevent choking, especially if vomiting occurs. Make sure nothing is blocking their mouth or throat.
Finding Professional Help for Substance Abuse
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use, don’t wait for an emergency to take action. At Footprints to Recovery, an alcohol and drug rehab treatment center in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, we offer compassionate, evidence-based treatment for both opioid and benzodiazepine addiction, including support for dual diagnosis and medical detox. Our team is here to walk with you every step of the way—from crisis to recovery and beyond.
Call Footprints to Recovery today to speak with a treatment specialist. Your next step could save a life.
