What naloxone nasal spray costs if you have no insurance

What naloxone nasal spray costs at the counter

The National Library of Medicine runs a health site called MedlinePlus. It says naloxone nasal spray is used along with emergency medical treatment. It reverses the life-threatening effects of a known or suspected opioid overdose. Opioids are strong pain medicines and street drugs such as heroin and fentanyl.

The FDA approved the first nonprescription naloxone nasal spray on March 29, 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says naloxone is now sold over the counter in all 50 states. You do not need a prescription to buy it.

A study in a medical journal, JAMA Health Forum, called pharmacies in North Carolina while posing as customers. Before over-the-counter sales began, the mean price quoted for naloxone was $90.93. After sales began, from November 2023 to January 2024, it fell to $62.67. Independent pharmacies quoted a mean of $77.59, while chain pharmacies quoted $57.74.

At its 2023 launch, the maker of the best-known spray set a suggested retail price of $44.99 for a box of two doses. The maker said each store sets its own price. Prices may have changed since then, so check the shelf tag.

What pharmacies pay for naloxone

The federal government keeps a weekly price survey called NADAC, run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It averages what pharmacies pay to stock a drug, so it shows the store's cost and your price tag will be higher. We use it here because it is the best government number we found.

For the week of October 21, 2026, the survey shows a brand-name 4 mg nasal spray cost pharmacies about $16.08, while the generic version cost about $16.77. A box of two sprays would then cost a store about $32 to $34. The shelf price is higher because the store adds its own costs.

Where to get naloxone for free

The CDC says free or reduced-cost naloxone may be available through your local health department, community naloxone programs and most syringe services programs. Programs change, so call or check the website before you go.

• The state of Kansas has a program run by a community service group with state and federal funding. The state agency says it gives free nasal spray and training to any Kansas resident, as long as funding and supply last.
• Wisconsin says its residents can get free naloxone by mail from a harm reduction group, at no cost.
• New York City lists participating pharmacies and community sites that give out free naloxone kits, plus 24-hour vending machines.

Many other states and counties run similar programs. Search for your state health department name and the word naloxone, or call your local health department. Our guide on addiction treatment without insurance lists other free help, and you can find low-cost care near you with our tool.

More than one kind is sold without a prescription

The FDA approved a second nonprescription nasal spray in July 2023, with a lower 3 mg strength. It also approved the first generic nonprescription naloxone nasal spray that month. A generic is a copy of a brand-name medicine that other companies are allowed to sell once the maker's legal protections end.

The CDC says bystanders can give naloxone as a nasal spray or as an injection into a muscle or under the skin. This page focuses on the nasal spray, because that is the form the FDA approved for sale without a prescription.

That gives you more choices when you shop. The North Carolina study found that prices were lower in cities than in suburbs and rural areas, so a short drive may change the price. The same study found that 57.8 percent of pharmacies had naloxone ready the same day without a prescription. Please call ahead and ask which products are on the shelf and what each one costs. Our guide on prescriptions without insurance explains how to compare pharmacy prices.

What to know about using naloxone

Every package comes with instructions, and MedlinePlus says to read them ahead of time. A person who is overdosing cannot treat themselves, so the people around you should know where the spray is and how to use it. Each spray holds a single dose and should be used only once.

MedlinePlus says to keep the spray where you can reach it and to watch the date printed on the device. It says to replace the spray when that date passes, which adds to the long-run cost. Ask your pharmacist or health department if your state has its own rule about expired sprays. It also says to store the spray at room temperature, away from heat and moisture, and not to freeze it.

The CDC says naloxone is safe for all ages and will not harm someone who is not overdosing on an opioid. It says to call 911 after giving it and to stay until help arrives. The FDA warns that people who depend on opioids can have sudden withdrawal after naloxone, with body aches and a fast heartbeat.

If you think someone is overdosing, call 911 right away. If an emergency room visit follows, our guide on emergency room costs without insurance explains the bills and how to ask for help. MedlinePlus lists very slow or stopped breathing and small pupils as signs. Not waking up when spoken to loudly is another sign. The CDC says most states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who help during an overdose.

Help beyond the nasal spray

The SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is free and private, and it is open every day of the year. SAMHSA is the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The line offers treatment referrals and information in English and Spanish to people with substance use or mental health needs and to their families.

Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is in emotional crisis. Medicines that treat opioid use disorder have their own price guides, and our page on naltrexone is one example. If you want a doctor who can talk about treatment options, you can find a cash-pay doctor in our directory. Some people pay a flat monthly fee, usually $50 to $200, to a direct primary care doctor. This page gives background information only and is not a substitute for a visit with your own clinician.

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