Photo of Narcan with text "Naloxone / Narcan"

What is Narcan?

Narcan is a brand name of naloxone, an opioid antagonist. Further, Narcan is a non-narcotic lifesaving prescription drug that reverses fatal opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptor sites in the brain. Common opioids include fentanyl, heroin, morphine, codeine and oxycodone. Naloxone can be given by intranasal spray, intramuscular injection, or auto-injector. Narcan Nasal Spray is available at Health Education and Promotion, and at the Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) Pharmacy.

Who should consider obtaining Narcan?

If you or a loved one has an opioid prescription, or is struggling with opioid/opiate use, you can consider obtaining Narcan. Narcan can be used by the opioid user, or administered by a friend/family member who is concerned about a loved one. A friend/family member who is close to someone struggling with opioid use may choose to keep Narcan on hand for situations in which they discover their loved one experiencing an overdose.

Anyone obtaining any illicit substance (e.g., prescription medication purchased from the internet), may also consider keeping Narcan on hand. There has been an increase in substances laced with opioids. Folks using these substances can unknowingly suffer from an opioid overdose. 

What is the procedure to obtain Narcan at UC Davis?

Students interested in confidentially obtaining free Narcan from Health Education and Promotion can follow the instructions below. 

1. Sign up to obtain free Narcan. You will receive an email confirmation; keep this confirmation to present at Health Education and Promotion when you pick up the Narcan. 

2. Watch the 11 minute “Responding to an Opioid Overdose”  California Department of Public Health (CDPH) online video. 

3. Complete a 5 question quiz to verify video training completion (anonymous link sent after sign-up).

4. Stop by Health Education and Promotion (HEP) to pick up Narcan during our Narcan disbursement hours: 

  • Mondays 10am - 12pm
  • Tuesdays 10am - 12pm
  • Thursdays 1pm - 4pm
  • At time of pick-up, no identifying information will be taken.

5. As part of our eligibility to receive and give out free Narcan to students, HEP is required to report usage numbers. Folks who pick up Narcan from our department will receive a 2-question survey three months after picking up the Narcan. The survey results are anonymous. 

Note: This is a new pilot program. At this time, students can pick up one box (2 doses) of free Narcan during their visit. We hope to allow students to obtain more doses per visit in the future.

Students can also obtain naloxone from the Student Health and Counseling Services Pharmacy. Find more information here.   

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