Some naloxone products could be safe enough for consumers to buy over the counter, according to a preliminary assessment the Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday.
Naloxone is a drug used to mitigate opioid overdoses. The chemical reverses the overdose for 30 to 90 minutes to let a user breathe.
“It is our preliminary opinion at this time that naloxone nasal spray up to 4 milligrams (mg), and naloxone autoinjector for intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) use up to 2 mg, have the potential to be safe and effective for use as directed in nonprescription drug labeling,” the agency wrote in its federal register notice published Wednesday.