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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
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Short answer: NARCAN (naloxone hydrochloride) 4 mg Nasal Spray made after FDA’s January 2024 shelf-life extension has a four-year shelf life. Stock made before that is not affected, so the expiration date printed on each carton and blister is the date that governs. This guide is for people who hold or restock naloxone nasal spray and need to read dates and storage conditions correctly. It is deliberately narrower than our Narcan kit contents and restocking checklist and our explainer what Narcan is.
What Narcan shelf life means
Shelf life is the period during which the manufacturer and FDA support the product staying within its approved quality when stored as labeled. FDA announced that the shelf life of newly manufactured NARCAN 4 mg Nasal Spray was extended from three years to four years, at FDA’s request to the manufacturer, Emergent BioSolutions. The extension applies to product produced following the announcement. FDA states that the shelf life of products produced and distributed before the announcement is not affected, and that users should continue to abide by the expiration date printed on each product’s packaging.
Who uses it: community and workplace programs, clinics, schools, first-aid stations and anyone who keeps naloxone nasal spray in stock.
Shelf life by manufacture date
| Manufacture date | Shelf life that applies | What to go by |
|---|---|---|
| Before FDA’s January 2024 announcement | Unchanged by the announcement (previously three years) | The expiration date printed on the packaging |
| After FDA’s January 2024 announcement | Four years | The expiration date printed on the packaging |
Source: FDA, “FDA announces shelf-life extension for naloxone nasal spray” (page content current as of January 17, 2024; checked November 4, 2026). In both rows the printed date is the one to follow.
Storage conditions that protect it
The FDA-approved prescribing information for NARCAN Nasal Spray (Emergent Devices Inc., label effective December 5, 2025, section 16.2) sets these storage conditions:
| Condition | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Store in the blister and cartons provided |
| Temperature | Store below 77°F (25°C); excursions permitted up to 104°F (40°C) |
| Heat | Do not expose to excessive heat above 104°F (40°C) |
| Freezing | Do not freeze; the spray freezes below 5°F (-15°C) |
| Light | Protect from light |
What if it freezes or overheats
According to the label, the spray freezes below 5°F (-15°C), and a frozen device will not spray. The label sets a ceiling of 104°F (40°C) for excursions and says not to expose the product to excessive heat above that; it does not describe a procedure for heat-exposed stock, so follow the manufacturer’s Instructions for Use for your product.
Check the box
- The carton reads “CHECK PRODUCT EXPIRATION DATE BEFORE USE.”
- Each carton holds two blister packages, and each blister holds one single-dose device. The label states each device has one dose and cannot be reused, and it needs no priming.
- Keep devices in their blister and carton, away from light and heat.
- Stock holders can see broader first-aid supply planning in the workplace first aid kit stocking guide.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every box has four years. Only product made after the announcement does; the printed date decides.
- Removing devices from the blister and carton for storage, contrary to the label.
- Leaving stock where heat above 104°F (40°C) or freezing is likely, for example a vehicle.
Supplies of this kind are listed in the emergency, trauma and crisis response category at lac.us.
FAQ
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is a medicine that reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids, according to the CDC. NARCAN is a brand of naloxone nasal spray.
What is naloxone used for?
It is used in emergencies to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, according to the CDC.
How does naloxone work?
It blocks opioids from acting on the body, according to the CDC.
How to give naloxone?
Follow the Instructions for Use printed on the package and any training from a qualified provider; this page does not give step-by-step use.
How long does Narcan last after it is made?
Four years for NARCAN 4 mg Nasal Spray made after FDA’s January 2024 announcement. For earlier product, use the printed expiration date.
Sources
- FDA, FDA announces shelf-life extension for naloxone nasal spray, checked November 4, 2026.
- FDA-approved prescribing information, NARCAN Nasal Spray 4 mg (Emergent Devices Inc.), section 16.2 Storage and Handling, via the openFDA drug label API, checked November 4, 2026.
- CDC, Naloxone, checked November 4, 2026.
