Opioid Overdose Medication Savings with TheDrugClub
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About Opioid Overdose
Opioid overdose is a severe, life-threatening medical emergency resulting from consuming too many opioids. It can rapidly slow or stop breathing, leading to brain damage or death. Recognizing the signs and having access to immediate treatment, like naloxone, is crucial. TheDrugClub helps make these vital medications more affordable, ensuring individuals and families are prepared.
An opioid overdose occurs when a person takes more opioids than their body can handle, overwhelming the central nervous system. This causes vital bodily functions, particularly breathing, to slow down dramatically or even stop. Opioids include prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and fentanyl, as well as illicit drugs like heroin.
Recognizing an Opioid Overdose
Identifying an overdose quickly is critical. Key signs include:
- Pinpoint pupils: Pupils that are extremely small, like the head of a pin.
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing: Breathing may be irregular, gasping, or absent.
- Unresponsiveness: Inability to wake the person up, even with sternal rub.
- Gurgling sounds: A choking or gurgling noise, often called a "death rattle."
- Bluish or grayish skin: Especially around the lips and fingertips, indicating lack of oxygen.
If you suspect an opioid overdose, call emergency services immediately. Time is of the essence.
Common Treatments and Medications
The primary emergency medication for an opioid overdose is naloxone (often known by brand names like Narcan or Kloxxado). Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it quickly reverses the effects of opioids by blocking their receptors in the brain. It can restore normal breathing within minutes. Naloxone is available as a nasal spray or an injectable solution and can be administered by trained bystanders. After naloxone is given, it's still vital for medical professionals to assess the individual, as the effects of naloxone can wear off, and the person may relapse into overdose.
For ongoing support, individuals struggling with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) may benefit from medications like buprenorphine or naltrexone, which are part of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs.
How TheDrugClub Helps Members Save
Access to life-saving medications like naloxone shouldn't be a financial burden. That's where TheDrugClub comes in. For a low monthly membership fee – with a Drug Club membership – our members gain access to significantly discounted prices on thousands of prescription drugs, including naloxone and other related treatments for OUD. Imagine the peace of mind knowing you can afford to keep naloxone on hand, or that ongoing treatment for a loved one is within reach.
Our members save an average of 60% on their prescriptions, often turning high out-of-pocket costs into manageable expenses. Whether you're picking up a prescription at
The information above is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.
MedlinePlus overview of Opioid Overdose
What are opioids?
Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are a type of drug. They include strong prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid.
A health care provider may give you a prescription opioid to reduce pain after you have had a major injury or surgery. You may get them if you have severe pain from health conditions like cancer. Some providers prescribe them for chronic pain.
Prescription opioids used for pain relief are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by your provider. However, people who take opioids are at risk for opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose. These risks increase when these medicines are misused. Misuse can include taking more than your prescribed dose or taking it more often, using it to get high, or taking someone else's opioids.
What is an opioid overdose?
Opioids affect the part of the brain that regulates breathing. When people take high doses of opioids, it can lead to an overdose, with the slowing or stopping of breathing and sometimes death.
What causes an opioid overdose?
An opioid overdose can happen for a variety of reasons, including if you:
Take an opioid to get high.
Take an extra dose of a prescription opioid or take it too often (either accidentally or on purpose).
Mix an opioid with other medicines, illegal drugs, or alcohol. An overdose can be fatal when mixing an opioid and certain anxiety treatment medicines, such as Xanax or Valium.
Take an opioid medicine that was prescribed for someone else. Children are especially at risk of an accidental overdose if they take medicine not intended for them.
There is also a risk of overdose if you are getting medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). MOUD is a treatment for OUD. Many of the medicines used for MOUD are also controlled substances that can be misused.
Who is at risk of an opioid overdose?
Anyone who takes an opioid can be at risk of an overdose, but you are at higher risk if you:
Take illegal opioids
Take more opioid medicine than you are prescribed
Combine opioids with other medicines and/or alcohol
Have certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, or reduced kidney or liver function
Are over 65 years old
What are the signs of an opioid overdose?
The signs of an opioid overdose include:
Very small pupils of the eyes
Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
Slow, shallow breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Vomiting
Limp body
Pale, blue, or cold skin
Faint heartbeat
Purple lips and fingernails
What should I do if I think that someone is having an opioid overdose?
If you think someone is having an opioid overdose:
Call 911 immediately.
Give the person naloxone, if it is available. Naloxone is a safe medication that can quickly stop an opioid overdose. There are two forms. One is a nasal spray that you spray info the nose. The other type is injected into the muscle under the skin, or into the veins. Naloxone works by blocking the effects of the opioids on the body. It's important to read the product instructions and check the expiration date before you give it to someone.
Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
Stay with the person until emergency workers arrive.
Naloxone won't harm someone if they're overdosing on drugs other than opioids, so it's best to use it if you think someone is overdosing.
Can an opioid overdose be prevented?
If you are taking opioid pain medicine, there are steps you can take to help prevent an opioid overdose:
Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your provider. Do not take more medicine at once or take medicine more often than you are supposed to.
Never mix the pain medicines with alcohol, sleeping pills, or illegal substances.
Store your medicine safely where children or pets can't reach it. Consider using a medicine lockbox. Besides keeping children safe, it also prevents someone who lives with you or visits your house from stealing your medicines.
Dispose of unused medicine promptly.
It is also important to teach your family and friends how to respond to an overdose. If you are at higher risk of an overdose, you will want get naloxone and carry it with you wherever you go. You can buy naloxone at a pharmacy.
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus topic page. Topic date: 08/27/2018. MedlinePlus file date: 10/15/2026 02:30:37.
This information is educational and is not medical advice.