A hand holds naloxone against a pink background.
Credit: Shutterstock.com/Hansonl

What you need to know

  • Naloxone is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses.
  • It should be administered any time an overdose is suspected.
  • In Pennsylvania and other states, many organizations offer naloxone for free. You can also buy it at pharmacies, grocery and convenience stores, and other retailers or order it online.

Naloxone, commonly sold as Narcan, can reverse an opioid overdose in minutes, and you don’t need a prescription or medical training to use it.

“Acting within minutes, it’s a safe and easy option for bystanders to use and helps save lives,” James Sherman, a clinical research coordinator and lead substance use navigator at University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy, tells Public Good News.

In Pennsylvania and other states, many organizations offer naloxone for free. You can also purchase it online and at some local retailers.

Here’s how naloxone works and where to find it in Pennsylvania.

What is naloxone?

Naloxone is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Opioids attach to receptors in the brain, leading to a euphoric “high” along with effects like sleepiness, nausea, and confusion. Opioids can slow or stop breathing, causing an overdose, if taken in high doses or in ways other than prescribed. Naloxone works by binding to those same receptors, which blocks opioids’ effects on the brain.

“This medication keeps people alive and eventually gives them a chance at recovery,” Sherman explains.

Naloxone is most commonly given as a nasal spray, though injectable naloxone is also available. Sometimes, more than one dose is needed.

Experts attribute recent declines in overdose deaths in part to increased access to naloxone, which has been available over the counter since 2023.

Who should carry naloxone?

“As an overdose survivor, I strongly urge everyone to carry this lifesaving medication,” Sherman says. “Strangers carrying naloxone gave me a second chance at life.”

Sherman stresses that it’s particularly important to have naloxone on hand if you spend time on public transit or in crowded spaces like bars and entertainment events, where people may be using opioids. He also encourages people who spend time with older adults and others who take prescription opioids to carry naloxone.

Where can I get naloxone in Pennsylvania?

Here are a few ways to get it: 

You can buy naloxone without a prescription at pharmacies, grocery and convenience stores, and other retailers. A pack of two doses costs around $50, though prices may vary.

When should I administer naloxone?

If you think someone may be overdosing, call 911 and then give naloxone. Signs of an overdose may include shallow or slow breathing, loss of consciousness, and very small (pinpoint) pupils. If symptoms don’t improve, give additional doses every two to three minutes until medical help arrives. Experts recommend giving naloxone anytime you suspect an overdose, even if you’re not sure if the individual took opioids. Naloxone won’t hurt someone who isn’t overdosing or isn’t overdosing on opioids.

Pennsylvania and many other states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who are overdosing—and those helping them—from certain drug-related legal penalties.

Where can I learn how to use naloxone?

You don’t need formal training to use naloxone, but it can help you feel more prepared. You can follow the step-by-step instructions on the package or find free, virtual trainings through Train PA and Get Naloxone Now.

This article was supported by Life Unites Us, a health campaign that receives funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Public Good News retains full editorial control over its reporting.