Thank you to WIVB Channel 4 News for inviting our Harm Reduction Manager to speak on this important overdose prevention topic!
Does Naloxone Freeze?
Intranasal naloxone, commonly referred to by the brand name Narcan, is a liquid medication that can freeze if it is stored outside. Its manufacturing instructions recommend storing the medication at room temperature or refrigerated (between 36 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). However, recent studies demonstrate that freezing and thawing naloxone does not significantly impact the efficacy of the medication (Cid et al., 2021; Lai et al., 2019).
On WIVB News, MATTERS’ Harm Reduction Manager Shelby Arena highlights that storing naloxone in the car during the winter may result in the medication freezing. She also outlines simple ways to mitigate this risk: if responding to an overdose where only frozen Narcan is available, community members can heat the medication quickly by holding it against their bodies. Arena demonstrates that individuals can thaw naloxone by simply holding the container underneath their arms. Alternatively, Shelby suggests storing naloxone in a temperature-controlled bag or container to prevent freezing.
Although naloxone is still effective after freezing, it’s best to use new naloxone when possible. MATTERS recommends utilizing new naloxone if the medication has been stored outside the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How to Access Naloxone
During the Channel 4 news segment, our Harm Reduction Manager highlights different ways to access naloxone in the Western New York Community. Narcan is available in all of MATTERS’ harm reduction vending machines across New York State. These machines are temperature-controlled and contain supplies other than naloxone, such as fentanyl and xylazine test strips. Anyone in New York can also order free naloxone to be shipped to their home by visiting MATTERS’ harm reduction supplies page.
Learn more about naloxone, including how to use it when responding to an overdose, on the MATTERS website.
Sources
Cid, A., Patten, A., Grindrod, K., & Beazely, M. A. (2021). Frequently asked questions about naloxone: Part 3. Canadian Pharmacists Journal : CPJ = Revue des pharmaciens du Canada : RPC, 155(1), 9–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/17151635211056571
Frequently asked questions (n.d.). Narcan Nasal Spray. Retrieved from: https://narcan.com/en/frequently-asked-questions
Lai, D., Pham, A.T., Nekkar Rao, P.P. et al. (2019). The effects of heat and freeze-thaw cycling on naloxone stability. Harm Reduction Journal. 16, 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-019-0288-4