Is Narcan Safe for Pregnant Women? What Expecting Mothers Need to Know

Opioid overdoses remain a serious and growing concern across Tennessee and the United States, affecting individuals and families from all walks of life—including pregnant women. One life-saving medication that often comes up in these situations is Narcan (naloxone). But many people ask an important question: Is Narcan safe for pregnant women?

At Recovery Care of Columbia, we believe in providing clear, evidence-based answers to help patients and families make informed decisions during critical moments.

What Is Narcan and How Does It Work?

Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, effectively blocking the effects of opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine.

When administered during an overdose, Narcan can restore normal breathing within minutes, making it a critical emergency intervention.

Is Narcan Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes—Narcan is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy in emergency situations.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), naloxone should be used to save the life of a pregnant woman experiencing an opioid overdose. While it may cause withdrawal symptoms, the priority is restoring oxygen and preventing death.

A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology supports this guidance, noting that naloxone administration in pregnancy is appropriate in overdose scenarios because maternal survival directly impacts fetal survival. Without rapid intervention, an overdose can lead to hypoxia (lack of oxygen), which poses a far greater risk to the unborn baby than naloxone itself.

Potential Risks of Narcan During Pregnancy

While Narcan is life-saving, it’s important to understand potential effects:

• Precipitated Withdrawal: Naloxone can trigger sudden opioid withdrawal symptoms, which may include nausea, vomiting, agitation, or increased heart rate
• Fetal Stress: Rapid withdrawal in the mother may cause temporary fetal distress
• Short Duration: Narcan’s effects may wear off before opioids fully leave the system, requiring additional doses or medical monitoring

Despite these considerations, medical professionals overwhelmingly agree that the risk of not administering Narcan is far greater than the risks associated with its use.

Why Immediate Treatment Matters

During an opioid overdose, breathing slows or stops entirely. This deprives both the mother and fetus of oxygen. Within minutes, this can lead to:

• Brain injury
• Organ damage
• Death of the mother and unborn child

Administering Narcan quickly restores breathing and gives emergency responders time to provide further care. This is why organizations like the CDC emphasize that naloxone should always be used in suspected overdose situations, regardless of pregnancy status.

What to Do in an Overdose Situation

If you suspect a pregnant woman is experiencing an opioid overdose:

1. Call 911 immediately
2. Administer Narcan if available
3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing
4. Place them on their side to prevent choking
5. Stay until emergency services arrive

Prompt action can save two lives.

A 2024 Study by JAMA Shows Buprenorphine with Naloxone is Safe During Pregnancy

A large, high-quality study published in JAMA in 2024 provides some of the strongest evidence to date that naloxone exposure in pregnancy does not increase harm to the fetus when used in combination with buprenorphine. References: jamanetwork.com, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In this population-based cohort study, researchers compared:

• 3,369 pregnancies exposed to buprenorphine-naloxone
• 5,326 pregnancies exposed to buprenorphine alone

The goal was to determine whether adding naloxone (as found in Suboxone) led to worse maternal or neonatal outcomes.

Key Findings

The study found no increased risk in the buprenorphine-naloxone group for:

• Major congenital malformations
• Preterm birth
• Low birth weight
• Respiratory complications in newborns
• Cesarean delivery
• Maternal complications

Even more notable, the buprenorphine-naloxone group showed slightly improved outcomes in several areas:

• Lower rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
• Reduced NICU admissions
• Lower incidence of small-for-gestational-age infants

Treatment Options for Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorder

If you or a loved one is pregnant and struggling with opioid use, it’s important to seek professional care as soon as possible.

At Recovery Care of Columbia, we provide compassionate, confidential telemedicine treatment options designed to support both mother and baby. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including buprenorphine, is often recommended during pregnancy and has been shown to improve outcomes compared to untreated opioid use.

Early treatment reduces the risk of overdose, improves prenatal care, and supports healthier deliveries.

Start Online Kratom 7-OH Treatment for Pregnant Women Today—No Clinics, No Pharmacies

• Start Safe, Same-Day Treatment for Kratom Addiction During Pregnancy using TennCare Medicaid
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• Start Safe, Same-Day Treatment for Kratom Addiction During Pregnancy without health insurance
• Returning pregnant patient? Click here to register today
• Apply for our Sliding-Scale Program
• View all insurance plans we accept
• View our affordable self-pay program with biweekly and monthly payments
• We accept all TennCare Medicaid insurance plans, including Amerigroup Community Care, BlueCare, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint Community Care
• We accept all major commercial insurance (from your employer or Healthcare.gov) including BCBS, Cigna, Ambetter, and United Healthcare.
• Same-day appointments and Suboxone prescriptions are often available when fully-registered before 10:00 am Central Time. (based on availability)

Not sure if your insurance covers treatment? Click here to check your insurance coverage now.

Experience a safe transition from hydrocodone, oxycodone, OxyContin, heroin, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, Kratom, 7-OH, 7-Hydroxy, Norcos, Roxicodone, Vicodin, Tianeptine, Tramadol, Opana, Percocet, codeine, oxymorphone, and other opioids.

Call or text us at (931) 548-3062 to speak to someone about our telemedicine Suboxone program. You can also message us securely on the Spruce Health mobile app.

Breaking the Stigma Around Addiction and Pregnancy

Pregnant women dealing with substance use disorder often face fear, stigma, and hesitation to seek help. But addiction is a medical condition—not a moral failure.

Seeking help is one of the most important steps an expecting mother can take. With the right support, recovery is absolutely possible.

Recovery Care of Columbia is here to help every step of the way, offering judgment-free care tailored to your needs.

FAQs About Narcan Use During Pregnancy

Is Narcan harmful to an unborn baby?
Narcan is not considered harmful when used in emergency overdose situations. The greater risk is lack of oxygen caused by overdose, which can severely harm the baby.

Can Narcan cause miscarriage?
There is no strong evidence that Narcan directly causes miscarriage. However, withdrawal symptoms may create temporary stress. Even so, saving the mother’s life remains the top priority.

Should pregnant women carry Narcan?
Yes, especially if there is a risk of opioid exposure. Having Narcan available can save lives in an emergency.

What happens after Narcan is given during pregnancy?
Medical evaluation is critical. Both the mother and baby should be monitored to ensure stability and receive follow-up care.

Is addiction treatment safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Medically supervised treatment, especially MAT, is considered the safest and most effective approach for pregnant women with opioid use disorder.

Get Help Today

If you or someone you love is pregnant and struggling with opioid use, don’t wait for an emergency to happen. Recovery Care of Columbia offers accessible, telemedicine-based treatment to help you regain control and protect your health and your baby’s future.

Why Recovery Care Is a Trusted Leader in Virtual Addiction Treatment:

• Accredited by The Joint Commission
• Clinic owners are in long-term recovery
• Over 100+ Google Reviews (from real patients)
• Recipient of Tennessee’s very first Virtual OBOT medical license
• Over 1000 patients served since 2021
• 2025 regional award winner for the “Best Substance Abuse Facility” by Best of Tennessee
• Same-day Suboxone prescriptions
• A kind and caring staff, some who are in recovery
• TennCare Medicaid and all major health insurance accepted
• Overnight Suboxone delivery available in most areas (the pharmacy charges a delivery fee)
• A compassionate team of caring doctors, nurse practitioners, counselors, and administrators who genuinely care about your recovery.
• No clinic visits, ever. 100% online/virtual Suboxone treatment statewide
• Same-day appointments available every Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (based on availability)
• Evening appointments available every Monday and Wednesday until 9:00 PM
• Compassionate, stigma-free, judgement-free care
• No referral needed

Our kind staff is happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us or send us a text at (931) 548-3062, or message us securely using the Spruce Health mobile app.

Worried about starting online addiction treatment? Learn what to expect during your first Suboxone telemedicine appointment.

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