RiVive (naloxone) is a life-saving medication for emergency treatment of an opioid overdose. It works as an opioid antagonist to help reverse the effects of opioids. RiVive (naloxone) comes as a nasal spray that gives one dose. It can work as quickly as 2 to 3 minutes to help someone who's overdosed. But the effects only last 30 to 90 minutes. So, it's important to call for medical help right after using. When the person wakes up, they could have signs of opioid withdrawal like shaking, sweating, and nausea. You can get RiVive (naloxone) over-the-counter without a prescription.
Emergency treatment of an opioid overdose
RiVive (naloxone) is an opioid antagonist. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. This blocks opioids from attaching to its receptor and causing dangerous effects. This includes slow breathing, extreme sleepiness, and loss of consciousness.
By blocking the effects of the opioid, RiVive (naloxone) can help someone who has overdosed. It can help wake them up and get their breathing back to normal.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Can help save the life of someone who has overdosed on opioids
Comes as an easy-to-use nasal spray
Available over the counter
Must give right away and doesn't take the place of emergency medical care
Might need to give more than one dose if the person doesn't wake up
Can have some side effects that look like withdrawal (like shaking, sweating, or nausea)
When someone has an opioid overdose, they usually can't give themselves RiVive (naloxone). This is because they might not be awake or they can't breathe well.
It's important for family and friends to know the signs of an opioid overdose so they can help. Someone who has overdosed can be extremely sleepy or passed out. They could also have trouble breathing, a slow pulse, and cold or clammy skin.
Make sure family and friends know how to give RiVive (naloxone) in an emergency. Give it as soon as you notice someone having signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose. It can help lower the risk of serious harm or death from the overdose.
Call 911 or get emergency medical help right after you give someone RiVive (naloxone). The person who overdosed will likely need more help. While you wait for the paramedics to get there, keep checking how the person is doing. Give them more doses of RiVive (naloxone) if they need it until help arrives.
Check if the RiVive (naloxone) you have has expired from time to time. It's important to make sure it's still good so you can use it when you need it. Expired RiVive (naloxone) might not work as well when given in an emergency situation. This can lead to life-threatening problems.
Be sure RiVive (naloxone) stays at room temperature (68ºF to 77ºF). Don't put it in the refrigerator or keep in high heat.
Each RiVive (naloxone) nasal spray contains only 1 dose of medication and can't be reused. Don't test the nasal spray before giving it. This will waste all or some of the medication.
Check if you think someone has had an opioid overdose: If someone is passed out, is very sleepy, or not breathing well, shake them gently to try to wake them up.
If the person doesn't wake up, give the 1st dose of RiVive (naloxone): Lay the person on their back and gently tilt their head back. Hold RiVive (naloxone) in one hand. Your index and middle finger should be resting on either side of the nozzle and your thumb on the plunger. Place the nozzle into one nostril, and press the plunger firmly. Roll the person so they're laying on their side.
Call 911 and stay with the person until the paramedics get there: Get emergency medical help right after giving RiVive (naloxone). Stay until help arrives.
While you're waiting for medical help to arrive: Check if the person wakes up or improves after 2 to 3 minutes of giving RiVive (naloxone). If they don't, give another dose in the other nostril with a new RiVive (naloxone) device. Keep giving another dose every 2 to 3 minutes until the person wakes up or medical help gets there.
RiVive (naloxone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Have taken opioids regularly for a long time
Someone who has been given RiVive (naloxone) and has waken up might not feel well right after. These side effects can look like opioid withdrawal. This happens because the medication works to block the effects of opioids very quickly.
The person could feel shaky, nauseous, angry, or sweaty. They might also have body aches and a pounding heart and feel anxious or irritable.
Watch for these symptoms in someone who has just been given RiVive (naloxone). Tell the paramedics about these symptoms when they get there.
Risk factors: Taking long-acting opioids
After you give it, RiVive (naloxone) helps reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. But the medication only works for 30 to 90 minutes. And, most opioids stay in the body for much longer than that. This means that the overdose effects can come back after RiVive (naloxone) wears off, even if the person got better at first.
That's why it's important to always call 911 when someone has an opioid overdose. After giving them RiVive (naloxone), make sure to stay with them until medical help gets there. Stay even if they look like they're getting better. You might need to give another dose of RiVive (naloxone) while you wait.
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| two 4mg nasal sprays | 1 box | $38.46 | $38.46 |
Each spray of RiVive has 3 mg of naloxone.
The typical dose is 1 spray in one nostril as a single dose. Call 911 right after giving it.
If the person doesn't get better in 2 to 3 minutes, give a spray in the other nostril using a new RiVive (naloxone) device. Keep giving a new spray in one nostril every 2 to 3 minutes, if needed, until medical help arrives.
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