Get a NARCAN® kit
Naloxone (also known by its brand name, NARCAN®) is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is usually available as a nasal or injectable medication and works by outcompeting opioids and binding on to the opioid receptor, alleviating the sedating effects of the opioid. When given during an overdose, NARCAN could restore breathing within 2-8 minutes.
Under California state law (Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 1746.3), pharmacists are allowed to prescribe and dispense NARCAN® (naloxone) without a prescription.
Pharmacists are required to:
- Conduct a brief screening
- Provide counseling and education on:
- Preventing opioid overdose
- Recognizing the signs of overdose
- How to respond to an overdose
- How to use NARCAN safely and effectively
This means you can walk into many pharmacies and get NARCAN without a doctor’s visit—along with the information you need to use it properly.
Talk to your local pharmacy or call (800) 704-0900 for more information.
Get your naloxone by mail
If you want to receive naloxone by mail, please fill out the order form below to place your order.
- Please allow 24–48 hours to process your order.
- Each order is limited to two kits.
Facts on NARCAN
NARCAN® (naloxone) is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose—including those from prescription pain medications or heroin. It works by quickly blocking the effects of opioids on the brain and restoring normal breathing.
NARCAN is safe, easy to use (typically as a nasal spray), and effective if administered in time—often within 2 to 8 minutes. It can help prevent overdose deaths and is a critical tool in fighting the opioid crisis.
NARCAN® is the brand name for naloxone, but they are chemically the same medication. Naloxone is the generic name, while NARCAN is one of the most commonly used and widely available brand-name versions—typically in an easy-to-use nasal spray form.
In short:
- Naloxone = the medication name
- NARCAN = a brand name version of naloxone
Both are used to reverse opioid overdoses and are equally effective.
NARCAN® (naloxone) can be administered in two ways:
1. Nasal Spray (most common)
- Step 1: Peel back the packaging to remove the device.
- Step 2: Hold the device with your thumb on the bottom plunger and two fingers on the nozzle.
- Step 3: Tilt the person’s head back and insert the nozzle into one nostril.
- Step 4: Press the plunger firmly to release the dose into their nose.
Only one spray is needed per dose. If there’s no response in 2–3 minutes, administer another dose using a new device.
2. Injection (less common for the public)
- Naloxone can also be injected into a muscle (thigh, buttock, or upper arm) or just under the skin using a syringe, usually done by trained responders.
NARCAN® (naloxone) works by quickly reversing the effects of opioids in the body.
When someone overdoses on opioids (like heroin or prescription painkillers), the drugs attach to receptors in the brain that control breathing. This can slow or stop breathing entirely.
NARCAN works by:
- Blocking opioids from attaching to these brain receptors.
- Pushing off the opioids that are already there.
- Restoring normal breathing within 2 to 8 minutes.
It is not a substitute for medical care. Always call 911 during a suspected overdose—even if the person wakes up after receiving NARCAN.
Knowing the signs of an opioid overdose can help save a life. Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness
- Slow, shallow, or no breathing
- Pale, cold, or clammy skin
- Blue or gray lips and fingertips
- Choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds
- Pinpoint pupils (very small pupils)
Even if you’re not sure, it’s better to act. Administer NARCAN if available and stay with the person until help arrives.
The out-of-pocket cost for naloxone nasal spray typically ranges from $70 to $150 for a two-dose kit, depending on the brand and formulation.
However, many programs in Santa Clara County offer NARCAN for free. You can receive it:
- By mail – Fill out the NARCAN order form
- In person – Visit a drop-in site for free training and kits
- At pharmacies – Available without a prescription in California (some fees may apply)
For questions or to get your free kit, contact SCCOOPP at (408) 272-6055 or [email protected].
Pharmacists can dispense naloxone in a few different forms, depending on availability and individual preference:
- Two prefilled syringes with an adapter for nasal use
- A twin pack of intramuscular auto-injectors
- A twin pack of nasal sprays (like NARCAN®)
Each option includes two doses, which is helpful in case a second dose is needed during an overdose emergency.
NARCAN is safe. If you give it to someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose, it will not harm them. NARCAN only works on opioids, so if there are no opioids in the person’s system, it simply has no effect.
It’s always better to use NARCAN if you suspect an overdose—it could save a life.
Learn more at www.narcan.com.
Anyone can carry and use NARCAN, but a brief training is strongly recommended. The training is simple and covers four key areas:
- Prevention – How to reduce the risk of overdose
- Recognition – How to identify the signs of an opioid overdose
- Response – What to do during an overdose situation
- Administration – How to safely and effectively give NARCAN
These trainings are quick (usually under 10 minutes) and are available in person or online. No prior medical experience is needed.
NARCAN Training (available in other languages)
Naloxone training
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Watch videoEntrenamiento de Naloxona
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Watch videoGood Samaritan Laws
AB 472, California’s 911 Good Samaritan law, provides limited protection from arrest, charge and prosecution for people who seek emergency medical assistance at the scene of a suspected drug overdose.
What does this mean?
Many overdose deaths are preventable, yet people often fear arrest if they call 9-1-1 for help at the scene of a drug overdose. Good Samaritan Laws are designed to encourage people to seek medical care for the overdose victim by providing limited protection from arrest, charge, and/or prosecution for low-level drug violations.