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By Artemis Molai
Similar to other commonly used life-saving devices, Naloxone works to resolve issues and remediate both danger and death. As deaths from overdose continuously impact communities, increasing access to naloxone is an effective manner of preventing the losses of numerous lives. In 2024, 361 Alameda County residents died from overdoses, as reported by Alameda County Health.
Meanwhile, according to STAT News there were approximately 73,000 deaths from drug overdoses in the U.S. in a span of 12 months till August of 2025. Naloxone, a life-saving medication, is a critical intervention for the reversal of opioid overdoses such as morphine, fentanyl, and codeine. According to the Alameda County Health Committee, Alameda County administers over 50,000 doses of Naloxone every year.
Naloxone can be administered to an individual through multiple forms including nasal sprays, intramuscular injections, and intravenous injections, according to StatPearls Publishing. These methods deliver the medication through the nose, into large muscles, or directly into veins by medical professionals. Intravenous doses usually work quickest, followed by intramuscular injections, and nasal spray naloxone typically takes a bit longer to revive the patient. This varied range of methods causes naloxone to be accessible throughout society and medical situations, allowing for an increased chance of saving lives from overdoses.
To better understand the functions of naloxone, I spoke with Dr. Ladan, a pharmacist at the biotechnology company Cinnagen. She explained that opioids impact the brain due to their attachment to opioid receptors.
“Naloxone is an antagonist which will attach to the same receptor as opioids, replacing and blocking opioids due to its stronger bonds,” she said. “When doses are applied in the veins, it may take around one to two minutes for the naloxone to resuscitate a patient, and around two to five minutes for intramuscular injections. Applications can continue with small doses, of around 0.04 mg to 0.1 mg per dose, every two to three minutes till the ability of breathing returns.”
She also warns, “some opioids such as buprenorphine may not allow for the reversal of overdoses and resuscitation via naloxone, not allowing much impact due to strong binds on opioid receptors.”
While discussing the side effects related to naloxone application, she lists, “tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmia, sweating, cramps, and trembling.”
As the opioid crisis continues, an increased access to naloxone and education regarding its administration and benefits would allow for the prevention of numerous avoidable deaths.
When an individual administers Naloxone on someone facing an opioid overdose, the chances of their survival rate increase to around 93% to 98%, according to a study published in BMC Public Health. Residents of Alameda County can learn how to use naloxone through health programs, allowing reduced fatalities and higher survival rates from overdose emergencies.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavi
