Where to Get Narcan (Naloxone) in Rhode Island

Overdose on opioids like oxycodone, morphine, heroin, and fentanyl is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and Rhode Island is no stranger to this problem.¹ Every town in the Ocean State has had at least 1 fatal overdose.²

Narcan and other brands of naloxone can save lives by fighting against opioid overdoses.³ Read on to learn more about naloxone and where to get Narcan in Rhode Island.

What Is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a drug that quickly reverses opioid overdose and can be administered as a nasal spray. Because it is an opioid antagonist, naloxone binds to opioid receptors in the brain and body and blocks and reverses the effects of opioids.³

Within 3 to 5 minutes, naloxone can restore someone’s consciousness and normal breathing.³

Narcan is the brand name of a nasal spray that contains naloxone. Narcan is packaged in a pre-filled, easy-to-use device. You can get Narcan in any state without a prescription, including Rhode Island.^3,4

Other brand name formulations of naloxone nasal spray include Rivive and Kloxxado. While Rivive is available without a prescription, Kloxxado and generic formulations of naloxone do require one.^5,6

Is Narcan Available Over the Counter?

The 4mg Narcan nasal spray bottle is available nationwide over the counter. In March 2023, the FDA made Narcan legal to sell and buy in retail stores without a prescription.⁴

Rivive, another brand of naloxone nasal spray, also became FDA-approved for over-the-counter sales in July 2023.

You can currently find generic and branded versions of naloxone in many pharmacies across the nation.⁴ Although the status change is recent, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and websites are now allowed to sell Narcan and Rivive. The hope is that if naloxone is readily available, it will save more lives.⁴

How Much Does Narcan Cost?

The cost of Narcan and other naloxone nasal sprays can vary depending on where and how you purchase them. For example, if you’re prescribed naloxone along with opioids, your insurance will likely cover the costs to some extent.³

If you’re paying out of pocket, naloxone’s cost may differ depending on the store you purchase it from. But even if you can’t afford naloxone, many places offer free naloxone kits. Some programs mail naloxone to your home, while others are public drop-in spots. Here are a few places you can get a free naloxone kit in Rhode Island:⁷

• Prevent Overdose RI
• The University of RI
• West Warwick Fire Stations
• Anchor Recovery Centers
• Project Weber/RENEW

When & How to Use Narcan Spray

Understanding when and how to use Narcan or other brands of naloxone nasal spray can save someone’s life. Naloxone can save someone from an opioid-involved overdose and will likely have no effect on someone that hasn’t taken opioids, so you can still use it when you’re unsure if an overdose involves opioids.³ Follow these steps to use Narcan effectively:⁸

• Step 1: Lay the person on their back.
• Step 2: Remove the Narcan spray and peel back the tab with the circle to open.
• Step 3: Hold the Narcan with your thumb on the bottom of the red plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
• Step 4: Tilt the person’s head back, supporting their neck, and gently insert the nozzle into 1 nostril until your fingers touch the bottom of their nose.
• Step 5: Press the red plunger firmly to give the dose.
• Step 6: Remove the nozzle from the person’s nostril.
• Step 7: Get medical help right away.

Some opioids—like fentanyl—are powerful and may require multiple doses of naloxone.³ Additional doses may be administered every 2-3 minutes if someone does not respond by waking up, resuming normal breathing, or to voice and touch.⁸

Naloxone works in the body for only 30 to 90 minutes. Because opioids can last much longer, it is crucial that someone that has experienced an opioid-involved overdose receive medical attention as soon as possible in case the overdose effects resume.³

Narcan Training in Rhode Island

Narcan and other brands of naloxone nasal spray are designed to be easy to use and include directions on the box or packaging. However, many community-based organizations and state programs provide naloxone (Narcan) training in Rhode Island.

Most courses are straightforward but they can vary in intensity. For example, the University of Rhode Island offers a Community First Responder certification where you can complete a live webinar, in-person seminar, or interactive learning modules to learn how to administer Narcan (or another brand of naloxone).⁹

Many naloxone training courses are open to the public and may be offered in person or online. A naloxone training course might cover topics like the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, how naloxone works, and how to use naloxone when someone overdoses.¹⁰ Here are some places you can get naloxone training in Rhode Island:

• HOPE Recovery Center of Newport
• The National Harm Reduction Coalition
• Preventing Overdose and Naloxone Intervention (PONI)

Opioid Addiction Treatment at AdCare

Naloxone can be helpful in times of crisis, but it only treats opioid overdose, not addiction.³ Addiction treatment is complex, often involving multiple therapeutic interventions.¹¹

Opioid addiction treatment may include a combination of:¹²

• Medical detox.
• Behavioral therapy.
• Peer support.
• Psychoeducation.
• Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

Everyone is different, and what works for someone may not work for you.¹¹ Multiple levels of care are available to treat opioid addiction, including inpatient rehab and outpatient programs.¹¹ Depending on your unique needs, some approaches may be a better fit than others.

AdCare’s inpatient drug rehab in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and outpatient locations provide evidence-based treatment that can help you or your loved one get sober and remain in recovery. Call to start addiction treatment today. You can verify your insurance coverage using the confidential .