MADISON, Wis. — Naloxone is now available over the counter, and experts know it could save lives.

What You Need To Know

  • The FDA approved naloxone for over-the-counter sale about six months ago

  • Naloxone nasal sprays come in a 2-pack for about $45-50

  • This week, they became available in grocery stores, pharmacies and some gas stations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the overdose antidote for over-the-counter sale six months ago. Now, it’s showing up on store shelves. It’s available at pharmacies, grocery stores and even some gas stations.

“I love the idea that some of what I do may be helping people,” said Cody Wenthur, assistant professor of pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Some of his work involves substance use.

“We're seeing unfortunately the highest rates of overdose from opiates we've we've ever seen in this country,” Wenthur said. “We're talking about more than 100,000 people dying from opiate overdoses every year, which is truly staggering if you think about that these are entirely preventable deaths.”

Part of that prevention can be naloxone. The nasal spray can temporarily reverse an overdose in that crucial time before medical help arrives.

“You can think of two people sort of fighting for the same seat in an armchair,” Wenthur said. “Naloxone is stronger, actually, than many of the others. So, it can kind of force that other molecule out.”

Previously, a prescription was needed to get naloxone. Now that it’s over the counter, Wenthur said it will save lives.

“It's been shown to be safe and effective,” he said. “It's being underused right now.”

Stigma is a huge part of that underuse. People may have been afraid to ask for a prescription because of how use disorders are viewed in society.

“I think it’ll make it more common,” said Cindy Burzinski, director of Wisconsin Voices for Recovery. “When things become more common, it can reduce that stigma. It’s a safety measure.”

Meanwhile, Wenthur said just about anybody could have naloxone in their house, car, or workplace. He said it’s vital for people who could be vulnerable to overdose, like people who are on opioid prescriptions after surgeries, for legitimate pain, or are suffering from a use disorder.

“I like to think of it really like a fire extinguisher,” Wenthur said. “You have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen not because you plan to burn it down, because you want it to be there in case something goes wrong that you weren't expecting. I think normalizing that could go a really long way.”

While every retailer is different, most two-dose packages of naloxone are expected to cost about $50.

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