How to Get Free Narcan to Keep at Home
Key takeaways:
Narcan (naloxone) is a potentially lifesaving medication that can revive someone who has overdosed on opioids.
In 2023, Narcan nasal spray became available over the counter for less than $50. You can still get the nasal spray and injectable Narcan at pharmacies with a prescription and may pay less than the OTC price.
You may have trouble accessing Narcan if you don’t have insurance or can't afford the OTC price. Free Narcan is available from clinics, through the mail, in vending machines, and at libraries. Harm reduction organizations and some states also provide free and low-cost Narcan.
Table of contents
Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, which can be fatal. The mediation is so powerful in reviving people that many organizations and government entities give it away free to help save lives.
The nasal spray, which is also available as generic RiVive, became available over the counter without a prescription following FDA approvals in 2023. Narcan is still available from pharmacies with a prescription. (At publication, RiVive was only available to harm reduction organizations and state and government agencies.)
When someone’s breathing slows or stops after an opioid overdose, Narcan blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and helps revive the person within minutes. After giving Narcan to someone, be sure to call 911 and stay with them until help arrives.
Narcan’s $50 price tag can be a deal breaker if you can’t afford the over-the-counter price or don’t have insurance to cover some or all of the cost. If you have insurance, you may be able to pay less than the OTC price by using your coverage to access the Narcan nasal spray or naloxone auto-injector with a prescription (though you may incur costs for a doctor visit).
However, if you or someone you love takes opioids — whether it’s prescription pain medication like oxycodone or a potent illicit drug like fentanyl — there are ways to get free Narcan to keep at home or with you in case of an emergency.
Is it a good idea to have Narcan at home?
Yes. If you or someone you care about takes opioids, it’s smart to keep Narcan at home. It’s similar to having a fire extinguisher in a kitchen or an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a public place to help those who experience cardiac arrest. There’s no downside to being prepared.
Narcan is safe to use on people of all ages. The medication is a good idea to have if you or someone you know has an opioid use disorder or takes opioids, prescribed or not, and even heroin.
Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Most fatal opioid overdoses are caused by synthetic opioids like illicit fentanyl.
Where is Narcan available for free?
You can use the National Harm Reduction Coalition’s Naloxone Finder or this NEXT Distro locator to access free Narcan near you.
Many states have programs that provide free Narcan to any resident who requests the medication. Here are a few examples:
Ohio residents can order naloxone online through HarmReductionOhio and receive it in the mail. And the state’s Project DAWN, coordinated by the Ohio Department of Health, is a network of more than 180 opioid overdose reduction programs that give out free Narcan.
The Delaware Division of Public Health will mail free Narcan to any state resident. The agency also maintains a list of pharmacies and bridge clinics that offer free Narcan.
Iowa residents can get free Narcan after an online video consultation with a pharmacist. The program is through the Iowa Division of Public Health and University of Iowa Health Care.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has a program that directs residents to pharmacies around the state that offer free Narcan.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services maintains a website that helps its residents find clinics that offer free and low-cost Narcan.
Washington state residents can order Narcan online for free and have it shipped to them at no cost.
New Jersey allows anyone age 14 and older to get Narcan for free and anonymously from participating pharmacies.
A health department, law enforcement, or harm reduction organization where you live may also offer free Narcan. These include:
The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment will mail Denver residents Narcan if they request it using this online form.
Philadelphia’s Narcan Near Me program provides self-service dispensers at city library branches. You press a few buttons on the kiosk and receive a free Narcan kit.
The Chicago Department of Public Health partners with the Chicago Public Library to provide free Narcan. Cook County Public Health maintains a current map of Narcan resources that includes Chicago libraries.
In Michigan, Wayne State University’s Center for Behavioral Health and Justice installed vending machines stocked with free Narcan in 27 counties across the state. The machines were placed at county jails as well as harm reduction and recovery organizations.
In Vine Grove, Kentucky, the police station has a vending machine with free Narcan available to the public.
All New York City residents can receive free Narcan and free training from the health department and from registered opioid overdose prevention programs. Some vending machines and pharmacies in the city also provide free Narcan.
Santa Clara University in California installed a vending machine with free Narcan. Also, California’s Naloxone Distribution Project delivers free Narcan and other harm reduction resources to certain organizations and entities, like first responders, schools, universities, and law enforcement agencies.
NEXT Harm Reduction and Prevention Point Pittsburgh’s partnership allows Pennsylvania residents unable or unwilling to pick up Narcan in person to get the medication by mail.
What are the signs of an overdose? Learn common symptoms of an opioid overdose and how to keep someone safe while waiting for medical help.
Where do you get Narcan? You don’t have to take opioids or have a history of overdose to keep Narcan with you. Here’s what to know about where and how to get this lifesaving medication.
How do you use Narcan? Administering medication during an emergency can be intimidating. But our pharmacists are here to help. Here’s how to give Narcan in six steps.
Does health insurance cover Narcan?
Maybe. Most private health plans cover Narcan as an essential health benefit, but you may have a copay. Your insurance coverage may change in 2024 and beyond now that Narcan is available OTC. Check your plan for details.
In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Medicaid covers Narcan and its generic, naloxone. Some Medicaid programs cover certain OTC medications, but you still need a prescription and Narcan must be on your plan’s OTC drug formulary. Check with your Medicaid program or Medicaid managed care plan for more information.
Most Medicare Part D prescription plans and Medicare Advantage plans that cover prescription medications will cover Narcan.
How is Narcan administered at home?
If someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, you need to use Narcan immediately and then call 911 (or, ideally, have somebody else call 911 while you administer the spray).
Fortunately, Narcan was designed to be easy to use.
Peel back the package to remove the device. It's a small white spray bottle with a tiny red plunger.
Lay the person on their back before giving them Narcan. With one hand, tilt the person’s head back and provide support under their neck with your hand.
With your other hand, place and hold the tip of the nozzle in a nostril until your fingers touch the base of the person's nose.
Press the plunger firmly, and the dose will release into the person's nose.
Remove the spray bottle and turn the person on their side. You may start chest compressions or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. If you’re not sure if you should start CPR or other rescue measures, ask the 911 operator. They can tell you whether it’s appropriate to do so.
There’s only one dose per bottle, so you only need to spray into one nostril. If you need to administer another dose after a few minutes because the person isn’t responding, you’ll have to use a new spray bottle. See the instructions for more details.
What are the effects someone should expect after receiving Narcan?
If someone gives you a dose of Narcan, you may feel some side effects, such as:
Headache
Muscle aches
Nasal congestion or swelling
Higher blood pressure
Fast heartbeat
If a person is physically dependent on opioids, a dose of Narcan can cause them to experience withdrawal symptoms. So you should always see a healthcare provider after someone gives you Narcan.
How quickly does it work?
Narcan should work on the person you’ve given it to within 2 to 3 minutes. But it’s not a substitute for emergency medical care.
While Narcan can seem to work miracles and bring people back to life, there’s a chance it won’t fully work the first time. The person may need a second dose. Narcan’s manufacturer recommends that people who receive even one dose get checked by a healthcare provider after being revived.
Also, Narcan’s effects can wear off in about 60 to 90 minutes, and breathing problems may return. This is especially possible if a person took a long-acting opioid that can stay in their system for hours. A risk of overdose symptoms returning is why medical staff should monitor the person for about 2 hours after receiving Narcan.
Does Narcan expire?
Yes. The FDA extended the shelf life for Narcan to 4 years in January 2024. This applies only to products manufactured after January 17, 2024. Since 2020, the shelf life for Narcan had been 3 years.
Check your package of Narcan for an expiration date, which may be sooner than 4 years.
Can I use expired Narcan?
Yes. Studies suggest that you can use expired Narcan safely, and it’s often just as effective. That said, if you have expired Narcan, you should seek a fresh supply, to be safe. But if someone needs Narcan and expired naloxone is all you have, you should use it.
The bottom line
Narcan, a brand-name nasal spray version of naloxone, has saved many lives after opioid overdose. If you or someone close to you is at risk of an opioid overdose, Narcan should be in your medicine cabinet or wherever it’s most handy.
A growing number of organizations and government entities are offering free Narcan through vending machines, by mail, at participating pharmacies, and other avenues. Ask your pharmacist or another healthcare provider for help if you can’t afford Narcan over the counter. You can also search online for groups that can send you free Narcan by mail.
Why trust our experts?
References
A-S Medication Solutions. (2021). Narcan [package insert].
American Heart Association. (n.d.). What is CPR?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. top 100,000 annually.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). 5 things to know about naloxone.
City of Chicago. (2022). Chicago Public Library and Chicago Department of Public Health announce Narcan distribution at libraries.
Feldman, N. (2022). Philly unveils first-of-its-kind Narcan vending machine at West Philly Free Library. WHYY.
McGreal, C. (2023). Vending machines with lifesaving drug grow as opioid crisis rages in US. The Guardian.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Opiate and opioid withdrawal.
Moran, M. (2023). Narcan vending machines help deter overdose deaths. National Association of Counties.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2023). Drug overdose death rates.
NEXT Distro. (n.d.). Can I use expired naloxone?
Saunders, H., et al. (2023). Will availability of over-the-counter narcan increase access? Kaiser Family Foundation.
Schiller, E. Y., et al. (2023). Opioid overdose. StatPearls.
Trujillo, T. (2023). Vending machine with free narcan installed at Santa Clara University. NBC Bay Area.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA approves first over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA approves second over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray product.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA announces shelf-life extension for naloxone nasal spray.
Was this page helpful?
Related Articles
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.