Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist that is FDA approved for reversal of opioid-induced respiratory and central nervous system depression. Naloxone is supplied as a nasal spray marketed as Narcan® 4 mg/0.1 mL nasal spray, Kloxxado® 8 mg/ 0.1 mL nasal spray, Evzio® 0.4 mg/ 0.4 mL auto-injector solution for injection, LifEMS Naloxone® 2 mg/ 2 mL solution for injection, and generic formulations of the solution for injection are available^12-15.

In July 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration made the recommendations that healthcare professionals should discuss the availability of naloxone products and consider prescribing naloxone to patients who are prescribed opioid pain relievers and are at increased risk of opioid overdose. Patients at risk of opioid overdose include patients who are co-prescribed benzodiazepines or other drugs that depress the central nervous system, patients with a history of opioid use disorder (OUD), or who have experienced a previous opioid overdose. Healthcare professionals should also consider prescribing naloxone to patients who have other household members, including children, or other close contacts at risk for accidental ingestion or opioid overdose.16 In 2016, the state of Texas, in association with the Texas Pharmacy Association, obtained a physician-signed standing order that allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone products to patients after completing Texas-accredited training¹⁷.