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Short answer: NARCAN Nasal Spray is a pre-filled, single-dose device that sprays naloxone into the nose. The device does not need to be primed or tested, it cannot be reused, and the step-by-step directions for using it are printed in the Instructions for Use inside the box. This page explains what the device is, what to know about it, and how it should be stored and handled. It does not replace those printed instructions or emergency services.
This is general product information, not medical advice. It follows the FDA-hosted NARCAN Nasal Spray label and Instructions for Use and CDC information. The Instructions for Use in your own box are the authority for your device.
This guide is the product-handling companion to two other CASRAI pages: What is Narcan? explains what the product is and how it differs from other naloxone products, and the Narcan kit guide covers kit contents, storage and restocking.
What the device is
- Pre-filled and single-dose. The FDA label describes NARCAN Nasal Spray as a “pre-filled, single dose intranasal spray.” Each device contains one dose and cannot be reused.
- No priming. The Instructions for Use say you do not need to prime the device, and that it should not be removed from its box or tested until it is needed.
- Nose only. The label marks it “For use in the nose only.”
- Purpose. The label lists it for known or suspected opioid overdose in adults and children. CDC describes nasal spray naloxone as a “prefilled device that sprays naloxone into the nose.”
Where the directions for use are
The directions for using the device are in the Instructions for Use printed in the box and in the FDA-hosted label. Read them in advance, because they are written for the exact device you hold. In any suspected overdose, contact emergency services (911 in the United States); the spray does not replace emergency care.
Checking a device you already own
| Check | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Doses per device | Each device contains a single dose and cannot be reused. |
| Expiry | Replace the device before the expiration date on the box. |
| Temperature | Store at controlled room temperature, 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 25°C). Excursions between 39°F and 104°F (4°C to 40°C) are permitted. Do not freeze. |
| Light | Protect from light and keep the device in its box until it is needed. |
| Children | Keep out of reach of children. |
| Instructions | Instructions for Use are included in the box. |
For what else belongs in a kit and how to keep it stocked, see the Narcan kit guide. Programs that keep several kinds of emergency medicines can see how naloxone fits alongside them in the emergency medication kit guide and the first aid kit stocking guide.
FAQ
Do you need to prime Narcan nasal spray?
No. The Instructions for Use say you do not need to prime the device, and not to remove or test it until ready to use.
Can you reuse a Narcan nasal spray?
No. Each device has one dose and cannot be reused. The label says “Do not attempt to reuse.”
Where are the directions for use?
In the Instructions for Use in the box and in the FDA-hosted label listed under Sources.
Can naloxone hurt someone who is not on opioids?
CDC states: “Naloxone won’t harm someone if they’re overdosing on drugs other than opioids.”
How should Narcan nasal spray be stored?
At 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 25°C), not frozen, protected from light and out of reach of children. Replace it before the expiration date on the box.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NARCAN Nasal Spray (naloxone hydrochloride) label and Instructions for Use, 2015 version hosted on Drugs@FDA (Reference ID 3848912): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/208411lbl.pdf. Checked 4 November 2026. The FDA page notes this label may not be the latest approved; follow the Instructions for Use in your own box.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Naloxone: https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/naloxone.html. Checked 4 November 2026.
