Abstract Introduction: The opioid crisis in the United States has evolved rapidly over the last decade, with fentanyl-a potent synthetic opioid-playing a central role in the rising overdose death toll. Naloxone (brand name Narcan®), an opioid antagonist, has become a cornerstone of harm-reduction strategies due to its effectiveness in reversing overdoses. Although public health initiatives to promote fentanyl and naloxone use have increased, there is limited understanding of how public interest in these substances has evolved, especially in relation to overdose events. Methods: This study utilizes Google Trends to assess longitudinal public interest in “Fentanyl” “Narcan” and “Naloxone” from January 1st, 2015, to January 1st, 2025. Relative search volumes (RSV) were extracted monthly, normalized on a 0–100 scale, and plotted. Peaks in RSV were contextualized through qualitative analysis of media coverage, CDC announcements, public health policies, and notable overdose-related events. Geographic distribution of searches was also examined by state. Results: “Fentanyl” had the highest RSV consistently, with an average monthly RSV of 32, compared to 9 for “Narcan” and 5 for “Naloxone.” All three terms displayed upward trends, though “Fentanyl” interest increased the most significantly. Key spikes in search volume were linked to high-profile events, including the FDA’s OTC approval of Narcan in 2023 and mass Fentanyl overdose incidents in 2016, 2018, and 2022. Geographic trends revealed fentanyl-dominant interest in Southwestern states, while Eastern states had a higher interest in “Narcan” and “Naloxone.” Conclusion: This study identifies a significant and consistent disparity in public interest between Fentanyl and opioid overdose reversal agents, suggesting an opportunity for overdose prevention education. Public health strategies can utilize this insight to design targeted campaigns that raise awareness of Naloxone access and trainings can better tailor their instructional programs. Google Trends proves to be a valuable tool for monitoring public awareness and guiding data-driven responses to public health crises.
Sheu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.