Narcan Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Narcan (naloxone) is a lifesaving medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It’s available as a nasal spray and injection.
The Narcan nasal spray dosage for adults and children is 1 spray in one nostril. The injectable Narcan dosage is 0.4 mg to 2 mg in adults, and 0.1 mg per kg body weight in children.
After administering Narcan for an overdose, call 911 to report the overdose and request help. You can continue to give Narcan every 2 to 3 minutes until the person becomes responsive or resumes breathing, or until emergency help arrives.
Table of contents
Narcan (naloxone) is a fast-acting medication that can help reverse an opioid overdose. It’s no exaggeration to say that Narcan is a lifesaving drug. And luckily, it’s available over the counter (OTC) as of September 2023.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about Narcan dosages and answer some common questions, like whether Narcan can reverse other types of drug overdoses and whether it's possible to use too much.
If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about resources in your area.
What’s the typical Narcan dosage for adults?
The typical Narcan dosage for adults depends on which product you’re using.
The main ingredient in all the products discussed below is naloxone. There are two forms of naloxone products: nasal sprays and injectables.
Naloxone nasal spray
The typical dosage of all naloxone nasal spray products is 1 spray in one nostril. Naloxone nasal spray products include:
Generic Narcan 4 mg (available OTC)
Brand-name Narcan 4 mg (available OTC)
Brand-name RiVive 3 mg (available OTC in early 2024)
Brand-name Kloxxado 8 mg (prescription only)
Brand-name Rextovy 4 mg (prescription only)
Each individual bottle of nasal spray contains a single dose (one spray) of naloxone. If you administer naloxone to someone and they don’t respond within 2 to 3 minutes, you can give a second dose (one spray) in the other nostril.
Repeat this process every 2 to 3 minutes, alternating nostrils, until the person responds or resumes breathing or emergency medical personnel arrive.
Naloxone injectables
The typical injectable Narcan dosage is between 0.4 mg to 2 mg. Injectable generic Narcan comes as a vial that contains a single dose. It’s available in 0.4 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL doses.
The dose needs to be drawn up from the vial using a syringe and needle. Then, it’s injected intramuscularly (into a muscle) or subcutaneously (under the skin).
Similar to naloxone nasal sprays, the dose of injectable Narcan can be given every 2 to 3 minutes until the person responds or starts breathing again or emergency medical personnel arrive.
Good to know: Zimhi is another form of injectable naloxone. It comes as a 5 mg ready-to-use syringe. Zimhi dosages are discussed in another GoodRx article.
What’s the typical Narcan dosage for children?
The Narcan nasal spray dosage for children is the same as it is for adults, which is 1 spray in one nostril.
For injectable Narcan, one dose is 0.1 mg per kg of body weight. One dose should be given as two separate injections. For example, if your child weighs 20 kg (about 44 lbs), the dose would be 2 mg (two separate injections of 1 mg).
You can draw up the full dose in one syringe. But give it as two separate injections in two different locations (for example, you could give one injection in each thigh).
If you administer naloxone to a child and they don’t respond within 2 to 3 minutes, you can give a second dose (one spray) in the other nostril. Repeat this process every 2 to 3 minutes, alternating nostrils, until the child responds or resumes breathing or emergency medical personnel arrive.
If someone’s having an overdose, what else should you do besides administer Narcan?
If you think someone is having an opioid overdose, give a dose of Narcan right away if you have it. Then, call 911. Medical treatment is necessary, even if Narcan works. Explain the situation to the 911 dispatcher and to any medical personnel that arrive at the scene. And remember, continue to provide a dose of Narcan every 2 to 3 minutes until the person becomes responsive or emergency help arrives.
If the person experiencing an overdose has stopped breathing, or their breathing is very weak, you should start CPR. This involves providing chest compressions (when you push down hard and fast in the middle of someone’s chest). For basic instructions on how to perform CPR, refer to our GoodRx guide.
Good to know: Narcan doesn’t work for long — up to 90 minutes at most. Opioids may last longer in the body than Narcan. So it’s possible to continue experiencing the effects of an opioid overdose after Narcan wears off. If a person becomes unresponsive some time after receiving Narcan, give another dose.
Can you use Narcan even if you’re unsure someone is having an overdose?
Yes. If you think someone is showing signs of an opioid overdose, administer Narcan if you have it. Narcan won’t harm the person receiving it, even if opioids aren’t in their system.
Will Narcan work for other types of drug overdose?
No. Narcan only works to reverse the effects of opioids. It won’t work for other types of drug overdoses. However, if someone has overdosed on more than one substance, and one of these substances is an opioid, Narcan can help.
What should you do if Narcan isn’t working?
If you’ve administered multiple doses of Narcan and it doesn’t seem to be working, it’s highly possible that the person doesn’t have opioids in their system. They could have overdosed on another substance, or they could be experiencing a medical emergency unrelated to a drug overdose.
Remember, anytime you administer Narcan, you should call 911 after giving the first dose. This ensures that emergency medical personnel are on the way. They can evaluate whether someone is having an opioid overdose or another emergency.
Is it possible to overdose on Narcan?
No. It’s not possible for someone to overdose on Narcan. But if the person receiving Narcan is dependent on opioids, has opioid use disorder, or has a lot of opioids in their system, they’ll likely experience opioid withdrawal after receiving Narcan. Symptoms may include vomiting, increased sweating, and a faster heartbeat. Opioid withdrawal isn’t life threatening, but it can be uncomfortable.
How to save on Narcan
Narcan is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx may be able to help you save over 75% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Narcan nasal spray at certain pharmacies is $44.39 with a free GoodRx discount.
The bottom line
Narcan (naloxone) is a life-saving medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It’s available as a nasal spray and injection. The Narcan dosage you should administer depends on which form you’re using.
In adults and children, the Narcan nasal spray dosage is 1 spray in one nostril. In adults, injectable Narcan can be given intramuscularly or subcutaneously as a single dose of 0.4 mg to 2 mg. In children, the dosage is 0.1 mg per kg body weight given as two separate injections.
If you think someone is having an opioid overdose, give a dose of Narcan right away if you have it. Then, call 911 and request help from emergency medical personnel. Medical treatment is necessary, even if Narcan works. While waiting for help to arrive, you can give another dose of Narcan every 2 to 3 minutes until the person becomes responsive.
Why trust our experts?
References
A-S Medication Solutions. (2023). Naloxone hydrochloride- naloxone hydrochloride injection, solution [package insert].
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023). RextovyTM (naloxone hydrochloride) nasal spray [package insert].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Lifesaving naloxone.
Emergent Devices Inc. (2023). Narcan- naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray [package insert].
Harm Reduction Therapeutics, Inc. (2023). RiVive- naloxone HCI nasal spray 3 mg [package insert].
Harm Reduction Therapeutics. (n.d.). RiVive™ is FDA approved.
Hikma Specialty USA Inc. (2022). Kloxxado- naloxone hcl spray [package insert].
National Harm Reduction Coalition. (2020). Opioid overdose basics: Overdose FAQs.
National Harm Reduction Coalition. (2020). Opioid overdose basics: Responding to opioid overdose.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Naloxone DrugFacts.
Quality Care Products, LLC. (2023). Naloxone hydrochloride- naloxone hydrochloride spray [package insert].
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). SAMHSA opioid overdose prevention toolkit.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Naloxone.
USWM, LLC. (2022). Zimhi- naloxone hydrochloride injection, solution [package insert].
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.