Naloxone Hydrochloride Nasal

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Naloxone Hydrochloride, Narcan

Brand Names
Naloxone Hydrochloride, Narcan
Route
NASAL
Dosage Form
INHALANT
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Description

11 DESCRIPTION Naloxone Hydrochloride Nasal Spray is a pre-filled, single dose intranasal spray. Chemically, naloxone hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt of 17-Allyl-4,5α-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxymorphinan-6-one hydrochloride with the following structure: C 19 H 21 NO 4 ∙ HCl M.W. 363.84 Naloxone hydrochloride, an opioid antagonist, occurs as a white to slightly off-white powder, and is soluble in water, in dilute acids, and in strong alkali; slightly soluble in alcohol; practically insoluble in ether and in chloroform. Each Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray contains a 4 mg single dose of naloxone hydrochloride (equivalent to 3.6 mg of Naloxone) in a 0.1 mL (100 microliter) aqueous solution. Inactive ingredients include benzalkonium chloride (preservative), disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (stabilizer), sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid to adjust pH, and purified water. The pH range is 3.5 to 5.5. Chemical Structure

What Is Naloxone Hydrochloride Nasal Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression. Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is intended for immediate administration as emergency therapy in settings where opioids may be present. Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is an opioid antagonist indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression. ( 1 ) Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is intended for immediate administration as emergency therapy in settings where opioids may be present. ( 1 ) Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is not a substitute for emergency medical care. ( 1 )

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

  • Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is for intranasal use only. ( 2.1 )
  • Seek emergency medical care immediately after use. ( 2.1 )
  • Administration of a single spray of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray intranasally into one nostril. ( 2.2 )
  • Administer additional doses of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray, using a new nasal spray with each dose, if the patient does not respond or responds and then relapses into respiratory depression, additional doses of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray may be given every 2 to 3 minutes until emergency medical assistance arrives. ( 2.2 )
  • Additional supportive and/or resuscitative measures may be helpful while awaiting emergency medical assistance. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is for intranasal use only. No additional device assembly is required. Because treatment of suspected opioid overdose must be performed by someone other than the patient, instruct the prescription recipient to inform those around them about the presence of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray and the Instructions for Use. Instruct the patient or caregiver to read the Instructions for Use at the time they receive a prescription for Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray. Emphasize the following instructions to the patient or caregiver:
  • Administer Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray as quickly as possible because prolonged respiratory depression may result in damage to the central nervous system or death. Since the duration of action of most opioids exceeds that of naloxone hydrochloride and the suspected opioid overdose may occur outside of supervised medical settings, seek immediate emergency medical assistance, keep the patient under continued surveillance until emergency personnel arrive, and administer repeated doses of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray, as necessary. Always seek emergency medical assistance in the event of a suspected, potentially life-threatening opioid emergency after administration of the first dose of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray.
  • Additional doses of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray may be required until emergency medical assistance becomes available.
  • Do not attempt to reuse Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray. Each Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray contains a single dose of naloxone and cannot be reused.
  • Re-administer Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray, using a new nasal spray, every 2 to 3 minutes if the patient does not respond or responds and then relapses into respiratory depression.
  • Administer Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray in alternate nostrils with each dose.
  • Administer Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray according to the printed instructions on the device label and the Instructions for Use .
  • Place the patient in the supine position. Prior to administration, be sure the device nozzle is inserted in either nostril of the patient, and provide support to the back of the neck to allow the head to tilt back. Do not prime or test the device prior to administration.
  • To administer the dose press firmly on the device plunger.
  • Remove the device nozzle from...

  • Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

    6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling:

  • Precipitation of Severe Opioid Withdrawal [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The following adverse reactions were observed in a Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray clinical study. In a pharmacokinetic study of 30 healthy adult volunteers exposed to one spray of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray in one nostril or two sprays of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray, one in each nostril, the most common adverse reactions were: increased blood pressure, constipation, toothache, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, headache, nasal dryness, nasal edema, nasal congestion, nasal inflammation, rhinalgia, and xeroderma. The following adverse reactions have been identified primarily during post-approval use of naloxone hydrochloride in the post-operative setting. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: Hypotension, hypertension, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrest. Death, coma, and encephalopathy have been reported as sequelae of these events. Excessive doses of naloxone hydrochloride in post-operative patients have resulted in significant reversal of analgesia, and have caused agitation. Abrupt reversal of opioid effects in persons who were physically dependent on opioids has precipitated an acute withdrawal syndrome. Signs and symptoms have included: body aches, fever, sweating, runny nose, sneezing, piloerection, yawning, weakness, shivering or trembling, nervousness, restlessness or irritability, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramps, increased blood pressure, tachycardia. In some patients, there may be aggressive behavior upon abrupt reversal of an opioid overdose. In the neonate, opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms also included convulsions, excessive crying, and hyperactive reflexes. The following adverse reactions were observed in a Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray clinical study: increased blood pressure, constipation, toothache, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, headache, nasal dryness, nasal edema, nasal congestion, nasal inflammation, rhinalgia, and xeroderma. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Emergent Devices Inc. at 1-888-511-0081 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

  • Contraindications

    4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to naloxone hydrochloride or to any of the other ingredients. Hypersensitivity to naloxone hydrochloride. ( 4 )

    Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

    8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The limited available data on naloxone use in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk. However, there are clinical considerations [see Clinical Considerations] . In animal reproduction studies, no embryotoxic or teratogenic effects were observed in mice and rats treated with naloxone hydrochloride during the period of organogenesis at doses equivalent to 6-times and 12-times, respectively, a human dose of 8 mg/day (two Naloxone HCl Nasal Sprays) based on body surface area comparison [see Data] . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions Naloxone hydrochloride crosses the placenta, and may precipitate withdrawal in the fetus, as well as in the opioid-dependent mother [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . The fetus should be evaluated for signs of distress after Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is used. Careful monitoring is needed until the fetus and mother are stabilized. Data Animal Data Naloxone hydrochloride was administered during organogenesis to mice and rats at subcutaneous doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 6-times and 12-times, respectively, a human dose of 8 mg (two Naloxone HCl Nasal Sprays)) (based on body surface area comparison). These studies demonstrated no embryotoxic or teratogenic effects due to naloxone hydrochloride. Pregnant female rats were administered 2 or 10 mg/kg naloxone subcutaneously from Gestation Day 15 to Postnatal day 21. There were no adverse effects on the offspring (up to 12-times a human dose of 8 mg/day (two Naloxone HCl Nasal Sprays) based on body surface area comparison).

    How Supplied

    16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Product: 50090-5908 NDC: 50090-5908-0 .1 mL in a VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE / 2 in a CARTON

    About This Information

    This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

    What are side effects?

    Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

    What are drug interactions?

    Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.