PSA: Heroin / Fentanyl overdose antidote NARCAN is available without a prescription at many US pharmacies

As /u/2cblover asserted, and as I tried to highlight a year ago, again I am writing to make it known that people in the USA can buy NARCAN ® Nasal Spray (which contains naloxone HCl - a heroin / fentanyl / opioid overdose reversal medication) over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies in most US states.

OTC means "over-the-counter" which means you DO NOT NEED A PRESCRIPTION to buy it. It is stocked behind the counter in the pharmacy, and you can just buy it. Narcan used to available by prescription only, but with all the fentanyl and fentanyl analogs mixed in with heroin or sold as heroin these days, it has become available for average people in most US states. I guess some drug warriors have finally started valuing life and relented on one on their idiotic prohibitionist policies that lead directly to human death.

So... where to get it?

Since they have laws allowing OTC sales or their their pharmacy board approved it, Naloxone kits of some kind should be available at every pharmacy that stocks it in at least these states:

There are others. If your pharmacy in the above states does not have it, ask them to stock it.

U.S. RETAIL PHARMACY "PROGRAMS" & STATES WHERE IT IS SOLD

WALGREENS

In February 2016, Walgreens announced its plan to make naloxone available prescription-free in 35 states in Washington, D.C. in accordance with each state's pharmacy regulations. When the effort is complete, more than 7,000 of the company's nearly 8,200 stores will dispense naloxone without a prescription. Narcan (Naloxone) is available OTC at Walgreens pharmacies, "primarily in 24-hour locations" via the Walgreens Naloxone Program in these US states:

CVS PHARMACY

Narcan is available OTC at CVS/Pharmacy locations in these US states:

RITE AID

Narcan is available OTC at Rite Aid pharmacies in these US states:

SAFEWAY / ALBERTSONS

KMART PHARMACY

OTHER PHARMACIES

Doubtless there are others. Top US Pharmacies by # of stores:

  1. CVS / Target
  2. Walgreens
  3. Rite Aid
  4. Walmart
  5. Kroger
  6. Kmart
  7. Medicine Shoppe
  8. Safeway / Albertsons / Dominick's
  9. Publix Pharmacy
  10. Costco Pharmacies

CANADA

Also it is available at some pharmacies in Canada as a "take home kit."

HOW TO USE NARCAN / NALOXONE

OVERDOSE RESPONSE: http://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/responding-to-opioid-overdose/

Dosage Forms: Traditional naloxone hydrochloride is available as a solution for IV injection containing 0.4 mg/mL, but alternative dosage forms have become available.

NALOXONE PROGRAMS & LAWS OVERVIEW


Comments


[31 Points] None:

i'm a walgreens man m'self


[12 Points] LowerHaighter:

Just to keep terms straight, naloxone is not an over-the-counter (OTC) product. OTC refers to products that are freely available to consumers, like Tylenol or Advil, whereas naloxone still requires that a prescription be in place.

In the case of naloxone, open-ended prescriptions (standing orders) are written that allow pharmacists to dispense the product to a consumer at the pharmacist's discretion.

Functionally, you can still walk in to most pharmacies and walk out with a naloxone product without having your own prescription, but it's not quite OTC. There are many people advocating for OTC status, while others are wary of the impact of that status on prescription benefit coverage. The current 'behind the counter' status removes the need for a personalized prescription while preserving prescription benefit coverage, which is likely the best arrangement until there are changes in the supply chain and market for naloxone products.


[4 Points] DiaperDankFrank11:

Great info for all the opiate users. Thanks


[3 Points] im_nomit:

To expand on naloxone in Canada. Naloxone's availability in Canada, though federally removed from the prescription-only list by Health Canada this year, is still regulated at the provincial level. BC, Alberta, and Ontario, I believe, all allow pharmacies to sell naloxone OTC, but the number of pharmacies stocking it may vary regionally. The rest of the provinces allow for take-home naloxone after the completion of a training program.

Additionally, many police and fire service forces now equip their members with naloxone, such that first-responders of any kind can administer it. It should also be reiterated that Canada does have a federal Good Samaritan law that precludes criminal charges against any person that calls 911 for an overdose victim.

If you're unsure of the availability of naloxone in your area, your local needle exchange would be the first place to check, followed by the local nurse hotline 811 number.


[2 Points] None:

Excellent. Thanks


[2 Points] None:

Explain to me why should people go and buy this? Is this for heroin users to buy for themselves? Or are you suggesting people buy this incase they see someone overdosing?


[2 Points] CarouselOnFire:

All emergency medical personnel should be equipped with this life saving medication


[2 Points] ravinstag:

It is unfortunate, but in my experience some pharmacies/pharmacists (in CA) will still refuse to/tell you they can't give it to you without a prescription- they are wrong... Be firm and don't take a "no" sitting down, inform them of the legality and ask to speak to the manager/pharmacy lead. (Don't be remorselessly rude, but) insist that they allow you to purchase it if you feel that you may need it. It saves lives every single day, maybe tomorrow, or the day after, or in the distant future, you might need it to save someone's life. If anyone close to you uses opiates you should have at least one naloxone product. I regularly carry auto-injectors, nasal sprays, and vials (as backup), and have had to use them too many times.

Our local needle exchange dispenses these as well (actually a separate group does, but they set up right next to the exchange), it is a good way of getting some at no cost (though I believe free poor people's insurance, MediCal, covers the cost at the pharmacy in full). If your plan is to get it from an exchange, make sure you go relatively early, as they do run out. Limited funding and support for harm reduction programs is literally killing people... So yeah, spread the word, and be safe!


[2 Points] ravn67:

Of course Florida isn't on the list, it's only the pill mill capital of the US


[1 Points] AutoModerator:

/u/2cblover - You have been summoned in the thread /r/DarkNetMarkets/comments/5hrklj/psa_heroin_fentanyl_overdose_antidote_narcan_is/ by /u/CookyDough.

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[1 Points] sterereo_B:

I definitely need you - you are fucking gorgeous!


[1 Points] flesy:

How much do they cost? someone hook it up for ppl that aren't in those states


[1 Points] None:

I dont use Opium or its realitives, but how much is a does of Naloxone or what not?


[1 Points] 1337N337:

As /u/capitalismandiwillanallyfuckyourdaughter said...buy this or die


[1 Points] young_k:

Glad to see it's not just Walgreens carrying it in select states anymore.


[1 Points] My6thRedditusername:

don't any of you have needle exchanges in your areas? they give you as many as you want for free there.


[1 Points] None:

[deleted]


[1 Points] kaltkalt:

You just need to show them your ID, give them a DNA sample, and sign a written consent to a perpetual waiver of your 4th Amendment rights (actually the 4th Amendment only protects against "unreasonable searches and seizures" - if you ask for narcan, - the "heroin antidote" - every judge will agree that searching you and your possessions without a warrant is perfectly reasonable, so the written waiver is superfluous).


[1 Points] mjvej4f:

Of course. Arizona isn't here...


[1 Points] coffeencreme:

Thanks for cross posting this here we appreciate it. :)


[1 Points] ProtestTheHero88:

You can update Maryland CVS's to the list of those that sell it over the counter. If anyone was wondering it is $144 dollars here for a single nasal dose though.


[1 Points] AutoModerator:

/u/2cblover - You have been summoned in the thread /r/DarkNetMarkets/comments/5hrklj/psa_heroin_fentanyl_overdose_antidote_narcan_is/ by /u/CookyDough.

This convenience is brought to you by AutoMod. Submissions do not automatically summon users like comments do. AutoMod is trying to be helpful.

For others, it should no longer be necessary to summon the referenced user in a comment any more. AutoMod has done the heavy lifting for you. You're welcome. Bow before me.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.