How to use Narcan Nasal Spray for an opioid overdose

This medicine should be given immediately upon when a suspected or known overdose of an opioid has occurred. This will help prevent serious breathing problems and severe sleepiness that can lead to death.

Your doctor or a pharmacist can tell you where to buy this medicine. It is available without a doctor’s order at most major pharmacies. Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

This medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in the eyes or on the skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.

This medicine must be given to you (the patient) by someone else. Talk with people close to you so they know what to do in case of an emergency.

This medicine is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Call for emergency assistance after administering the first dose and keep the patient under continued surveillance.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. It is very important that you read and understand this information. Be sure to ask your doctor about anything you do not understand.

To use the nasal spray:

Remove the nasal spray from the box. Peel back the tab with the circle to open it.
Do not prime or test the nasal spray. It contains a single dose of naloxone and cannot be reused.
Hold the nasal spray with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
Lay the patient on their back. Support the patient’s neck by your hand and allow the head to tilt back before giving this medicine.
Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril of the patient, until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the patient’s nose.
Press the plunger firmly to give the dose. Remove the nasal spray from the patient’s nostril after giving the dose.
Move the patient on their side (recovery position) after giving the medicine and get emergency medical help right away.
Watch the patient closely. You may also give additional doses to the patient every 2 to 3 minutes until the patient responds or emergency medical assistance becomes available.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For opioid overdose:
- For nasal dosage form (Kloxxado™ spray):
  - Adults and children—At first, 8 milligrams (mg) (1 spray into one nostril). Another spray may be given into the other nostril every 2 to 3 minutes until the patient responds or until emergency medical assistance becomes available.
- For nasal dosage form (Narcan® spray):
  - Adults and children—At first, 4 milligrams (mg) (1 spray into one nostril). Another spray may be given into the other nostril every 2 to 3 minutes until the patient responds or until emergency medical assistance becomes available.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not freeze or expose to heat. If the spray is frozen and is needed in an emergency, do not wait for the spray to thaw. Get medical help right away. However, the spray may be thawed for 15 minutes in room temperature, and it can still be used if it has been thawed after being frozen before.