Where can I get Naloxone?

Low-Cost Naloxone

  • Your Local Pharmacy: The Utah Naloxone Standing Order allows pharmacists to distribute naloxone to anyone without needing a prescription. You can purchase Naloxone at most pharmacies, either with insurance co-pay or out of pocket. Each kit differs in price and insurance coverage, but most range from $45 – $175 out of pocket.

Free Naloxone

  • Utah County Health Department Prevention Program: Some local agencies and organizations offer Naloxone kits for free to individuals who are unable to pay the pharmacy cost. Call 801-851-7095 to receive a free training on naloxone and Narcan Nasal Spray kit. You can also schedule a training at healthevents.utahcounty.gov or email naloxonesaves@utahcounty.gov.
  • Participating Utah County City Libraries: Many city libraries in Utah County provide naloxone at no cost. Ask if your library has a naloxone program. Staff will share some basic information about using naloxone and give you a kit.
    • American Fork Library
      64 S 100 E, American Fork, UT
      (801) 763-3070
    • Eagle Mountain City Library
      1650 Stagecoach Run, Eagle Mountain, UT
      (801) 789-6623
    • Payson City Library
      66 S Main St, Payson, UT 84651
      (801) 465-5220
    • Saratoga Springs Library
      1307 Commerce Dr. Suite 140, Saratoga Springs, UT
      (801) 766-6513
    • Spanish Fork Library
      49 S Main St, Spanish Fork, UT
      (801) 804-4480
    • Salem City Library
      59 S Main St, Salem, UT
      (801) 423-2622
  • Utah Naloxone: Visit Utah Naloxone or call 385-495-9050 for no-cost naloxone kits. Online trainings and mailed naloxone kits available.
  • To learn more about naloxone and where to get it, visit: naloxone.utah.gov

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a safe medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It will only work for an opioid overdose and not any other substance. 

How does it work?

Opioids are usually a medication prescribed by a doctor to help with pain management. Common opioids include Oxycodone (Percocet®, OxyContin®) and Hydrocodone (Norco®, Vicodin®). Fentanyl and morphine are opioids commonly administered in hospitals, while heroin is an illegal opioid. If you are taking opioids, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about finding alternatives or safe ways to manage side effects and reduce risks.

Opioids bind to receptors in the brain that are responsible for sending pain signals throughout the body. This is why opioids work well for pain management. Opioids block pain receptors from sending signals so that the body no longer feels pain.  However, when too many of those receptors are bound, our central nervous system starts to slow down, which means an individual’s breathing will begin to slow and could stop all together. That is how an opioid overdose can become fatal.

Naloxone removes the opioids from the pain receptors and binds to those same receptors, essentially restoring regular central nervous system functioning. Naloxone works within 0-5 minutes, but the effects of the naloxone could last for 30-90 minutes, at which time the individual is at risk of re-overdosing if the opioids have not faded from the individual’s system.

What are the side effects?

Naloxone is non-psychoactive, meaning it cannot be used to become impaired.  Side effects from naloxone are rare, however, individuals report immediate withdrawal symptoms after administration, that vary based on individual and substance.  Naloxone can be used on adults, children, and animals if an opioid overdose is suspected.  Some overdose incidents require multiple doses of naloxone to be administered to reverse the overdose. 

Types of Naloxone

There are two main types of naloxone that a community member can use, based on individual preference, insurance, and price. 

  1. Manual (Intramuscular)
  2. Narcan (Nasal)

All types of naloxone kits come with two doses. Store naloxone at room temperature and dispose of properly when expired.  All types of naloxone are equal in effectiveness, but vary in ease of use and price.

Where can I find out more about opioids?

Mental Health & Treatment Resources

  • Visit United Way 211 for treatment options. 
    You can also download the app or call 2-1-1.

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Comments or Questions?