Naloxone FAQ

Naloxone is an FDA-approved over-the-counter medication that can reverse an opioid overdose from prescription opioid medications and illicit drugs like morphine, heroin, and fentanyl. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing if someone’s breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose.

Naloxone is easy to use and small enough to carry in your pocket. Naloxone nasal spray can be used without medical training or authorization and is available in a box containing two individually packaged naloxone nasal sprays, each containing a 4 mg dose.

Naloxone nasal spray can be given safely to people of all ages, from infants to older adults and it will not harm someone if they are not experiencing an opioid overdose.

Please visit our Naloxone Training page for videos on how to use naloxone.

Anyone can administer naloxone to someone they suspect is experiencing an opioid overdose. The Good Samaritan Law protects individuals who administer naloxone in good faith from civil or criminal liability. This means you cannot be sued or prosecuted for trying to help someone during an overdose emergency.

You should call 911 after giving someone naloxone nasal spray. Continue to monitor the person and give them another dose every 2-3 minutes as needed or until emergency help arrives. If the person wakes up and their breathing normalizes, encourage them to be seen by emergency medical responders. 

More than one naloxone nasal spray may be needed. For adults and children, start with one spray into one nostril. Another spray may be given into the other nostril every 2 to 3 minutes until the person’s breathing improves or until emergency medical assistance becomes available.

Please note each box of naloxone nasal spray contains two single spray devices. Each device contains one dose of medication. The device is intended to be sprayed once and should be discarded after use. Additionally, you cannot reuse naloxone nasal spray devices.

Naloxone should be stored at room temperature which is the range in which most people feel comfortable (59º to 77º F). You should store your naloxone in a safe and easily accessible place where it can be quickly retrieved in an emergency, such as a first-aid kit. Keep your naloxone in its original box or container until you’re ready to use it. Do not store your naloxone in a hot car or leave it in direct sunlight. Avoid storing your naloxone in excessive heat above 104°F.

Yes. Check the expiration date on the bottom of the box and on each individually wrapped nasal spray. Naloxone starts to lose its effectiveness after its expiration date, but it may be strong enough to reverse an overdose. Expired naloxone is better than no naloxone, so use it if it is the only naloxone you have.

No, it is given to someone after an overdose has occurred. You cannot reliably use naloxone nasal spray on yourself if you are experiencing an opioid overdose. Naloxone nasal spray is designed to be administered by another person who recognizes the signs of an opioid overdose.

No. It is safe to keep giving doses of naloxone every 2 to 3 minutes until the person’s breathing improves or until emergency medical assistance becomes available.

Get free naloxone at one of our naloxone distribution boxes. Naloxone nasal spray is also available over the counter without a prescription and can be purchased at local pharmacies and retailers such as Target and CVS.

Organizations that would like to distribute naloxone nasal spray can obtain it through the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP). NDP provides free naloxone nasal spray to eligible organizations. Request technical support for placing orders through the NDP.