Narcan and Cost: What You Need to Know

Narcan (naloxone) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat known or suspected opioid overdose. This article gives details on Narcan’s price, coupons to help you save money on the drug, and other resources that could help lower its cost.

Doctors may prescribe this drug to you, but Narcan is also available behind the counter. This means a pharmacist may be able to dispense the drug to you without a prescription from your doctor.

For more details on Narcan, see this in-depth article.

Note: In March 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Narcan for over-the-counter (OTC) use. This means you’ll be able to buy Narcan off the shelf, without consulting with a pharmacist. Narcan is not yet available for OTC purchase in pharmacies, but it’s expected to become available later in 2023.

The price you pay for Narcan nasal spray can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Narcan, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Once you do get to see the doctor, don’t be surprised if you’re rushed out of the exam room before you get all of your questions answered, according to healthcare staffing agency Staff Care. Studies show that 41% of ophthalmologists spend just 9 to 12 minutes with a patient, and 13- to 16-minute appointments are the norm for 40% of cardiologists, 37% of pediatricians, 35% of urologists, 35% of family physicians, 34% of obstetricians and gynecologists and 30% of otolaryngologists.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Narcan. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Narcan in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Narcan requires prior authorization and you do not receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Narcan requires prior authorization.

Coupons for Narcan

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Narcan when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Narcan and cost.

How much does Narcan cost without insurance vs. with insurance?

Many insurance providers cover Narcan nasal spray. To see if your insurance plan covers the cost of the drug, check with your insurance provider.

Your pharmacist can tell you how much Narcan costs if you don’t have insurance. The cost of the medication may differ depending on the pharmacy you use.

For a few resources that can help you save on the cost of Narcan, see the “Can I get help paying for Narcan?” section below. To find out about other cost-saving resources offered by some states or organizations, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does the cost of Narcan depend on the strength (2 mg or 4 mg)?

Narcan nasal spray 4-milligrams (mg) is the only strength available for this drug. It used to come in a 2-mg strength that has been discontinued. Depending on the pharmacy you use and whether you have health insurance, the cost of the 4-mg nasal spray can vary.

If you have insurance, your insurance provider can let you know exactly how much you’ll pay, if anything, for Narcan.

If you don’t have insurance, your pharmacy can provide you with Narcan’s cost. However, the cost for the drug may vary at different pharmacies.

Is Narcan available over the counter (OTC)? If so, what’s the cost?

In the United States, Narcan is not available as an OTC drug. But it is available behind the counter, as well as by prescription. “Behind the counter” means a pharmacist may be able to dispense Narcan to you without a prescription from your doctor. Narcan and its generic, naloxone, are available for purchase from a pharmacist in all 50 states. For more information, talk with your pharmacist.

If you receive Narcan from a pharmacist, they can give you more information about what your cost will be. The price can vary depending on the pharmacy that dispenses the drug.

Narcan is available as the generic drug naloxone. Like the brand-name version, it comes as a nasal spray. A generic drug contains the same active ingredient as the brand-name version. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

To find out how the costs of Narcan and naloxone nasal spray compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed Narcan and you’re interested in using naloxone nasal spray instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you need help covering the cost of Narcan or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for Narcan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some state programs or organizations in your area may also cover the cost of this drug. Your doctor or pharmacist should be able to give you more information about these resources.

You can also find information about coupons for Narcan in the “What’s the price of Narcan nasal spray?” section above.

If you still have questions about the cost of Narcan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’ll pay for Narcan.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

• Is Narcan nasal spray ever supplied cost-free?
• Is the generic naloxone nasal spray less expensive than Narcan?
• Where can I find resources about state assistance programs for Narcan or organizations that can help me pay for the medication?
• Will my cost for Narcan be different if I have a prescription compared with getting it from a pharmacist without a prescription?

To learn more about Narcan, see these articles:

• All About Narcan Nasal Spray
• Dosage for Narcan: What You Need to Know
• Side Effects of Narcan: What You Need to Know

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Disclaimer: Austra Health has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Last medically reviewed on August 10, 2022