Can narcan (naloxone) be effective with a person who takes lortab for pain and drinks alcohol on top of it, and appears to "check out", i.e. become inarticulate?

It CAN be...: ...If the person was becoming inarticulate and "checking out" as a result of narcosis from the lortab. Narcan (naloxone) is an IV opioid receptor antagonist that is used specifically to counteract narcotic overdose--usually in an emergency setting where a person stops breathing. However, Narcan (naloxone) does nothing to counteract "checking out" from alcohol toxicity which can cause coma and even death by itself.

Narcan (naloxone): Will precipitously, and in the wrong hands dangerously, reverse the effects of narcotics (not alcohol or other sedative rx). It is unsafe to use in the circumstance you describe, unless under direct medical supervision.

Narcan: If there are respiratory problems related to the Lortab - Narcan can address that. However, if someone is primarily drunk because of alcohol - the Narcan is would not reverse the alcohol intoxication