KLOXXADO® Naloxone Blog

Co-Prescribing KLOXXADO® (naloxone HCI) nasal spray 8 mg for Your Patients Taking Prescription Opioids - Kloxxado®

Editor — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:18:49 GMT

It’s estimated that five to eight million Americans use opioids to manage chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting longer than three months).^1,2 Opioids are also used for acute pain, cancer-related pain, post-surgical pain and vascular pain.¹ Though prescription opioids provide effective pain relief, this treatment is associated with significant risks—including fatal opioid overdose.^1,3 Approximately 125 million prescriptions were written for opioids in 2023, but research published in 2025 shows that only about 1% of patients who are prescribed opioids also receive a prescription for the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone.^3,4 While healthcare providers recognize the risks associated with opioids, it’s important for patients to understand them as well.³ Remind your patients who take prescription opioids that accidental overdoses can happen—even when prescription opioids are not misused.³ Make sure they know that anyone who takes opioids can be at risk for overdose and even death.³ Talk with them about the risks, and consider co-prescribing KLOXXADO^® for your patients taking prescription opioids.⁵

Accidental overdose may not be an obvious risk to patients prescribed opioids

Opioids can pose a risk to patients.³ Unintended drug interactions, accidentally taking multiple doses (or an incorrect dose) and pre-existing health conditions can all increase the likelihood of a potentially deadly opioid overdose.³ While many patients will probably heed your advice to avoid alcohol while taking prescription opioids, they may not be aware of the dangerous interactions that can occur between opioids and certain other prescription medications.^6,7 Side effects of prescription opioids (drowsiness and confusion, for example) can be problematic as well.³ Patients taking prescription opioids could accidentally take too much after misreading a label or forgetting that they already took their medicine.^3,8 Pre-existing conditions like sleep apnea or lung disease are another concern.⁹ Patients may not know that opioids can cause a potentially devastating slowdown in their breathing rate.⁹ And patients with certain liver or kidney conditions may not make the connection between existing health issues, how they metabolize their medications and how potential drug interactions may impact their risk of accidental opioid overdose.^5,9

Co-prescribing naloxone could potentially save a life

Opioids relieve pain by attaching to opioid receptors found on nerve cells throughout the body, including the brain.¹⁰ When opioids attach to the opioid receptors in the respiratory center of the brain, they can interfere with the body’s ability to breathe.⁹ Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.¹¹ KLOXXADO^® Nasal Spray blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and can help restore normal breathing within two to three minutes.¹² Additional doses may be needed if the patient is not adequately responding, or responds and then relapses back into respiratory depression.¹²

KLOXXADO^® is simple to use and proven safe and effective

Naloxone, the active ingredient in KLOXXADO^®, works only if a person has opioids in their system—it’s not harmful to use even if a person hasn’t taken opioids.^12,13 The use of KLOXXADO^® in patients who are opioid-dependent may precipitate opioid withdrawal.¹² Although naloxone has no effect on a person who is not experiencing an opioid overdose, it can save a life in an actual opioid overdose emergency.¹³ KLOXXADO^® is a prefilled, easy-to-use single-dose nasal spray, so anyone can be prepared to reverse an overdose at any time.¹²

Healthcare providers play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive naloxone

Co-prescribing naloxone could be a matter of life and death for at-risk patients taking opioids for pain.⁴ In 2022, for example, there were close to 15,000 deaths involving prescription opioids.⁴ In spite of the risk of opioid overdose, only 1% of prescription opioid patients are co-prescribed naloxone.⁴

The CDC supports co-prescribing naloxone for patients taking prescription opioids

The CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain—United States, 2022 support naloxone co-prescribing for patients at-risk who take prescription opioids.⁵ The Guidelines recommend naloxone because of the:⁵

High rates of preventable opioid overdose deaths
Safety and effectiveness of naloxone as an opioid overdose reversal medication

The FDA maintains that naloxone is a medicine with no abuse potential, and it is not a controlled substance.¹⁴

In addition to co-prescribing naloxone to patients who are taking prescription opioids, healthcare providers should also educate caregivers and families on the importance of naloxone and how it can save a life in an emergency overdose situation.¹⁵

Co-prescribe KLOXXADO^® to your patients taking prescription opioids

Given the lifesaving benefit of naloxone in an opioid overdose emergency, co-prescribing naloxone to patients who are prescribed opioids for pain management makes sense—especially for patients who:³

Are 65 years and older
Have a history of overdose
Have apnea or other sleep-disordered breathing
Are taking benzodiazepines
Are taking ≥50 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day
Have a history of substance use disorder

Recognize the signs of opioid overdose

Every second counts in an opioid overdose emergency. Once a person stops breathing as a result of opioid overdose, brain damage can occur within four minutes.¹⁶ That’s why it’s so important to take action immediately—even before emergency services arrive.^12,16 Teach family members and caregivers to recognize the signs of opioid overdose:¹²

The person will not wake up and does not respond to voice or touch
The person’s breathing is very slow, irregular, or has stopped
The center part of the person’s eye is very small (also known as “pinpoint pupils”)

Instruct family members and caregivers to take action with naloxone as soon as they suspect an opioid overdose—even if they are not sure—and to seek emergency medical assistance after the first dose of KLOXXADO^® is given.^11,12 KLOXXADO^® is easy for anyone to use—no training is required.¹² Because a person suffering an opioid overdose cannot give themselves naloxone, tell the patient to let their family members and caregivers know where it is stored.¹¹

Educate patients about the risk of opioid overdose and co-prescribe KLOXXADO^®

Talking with your patients about naloxone sounds like a simple task, but the reality is that these conversations might get a little uncomfortable.^17,18 Below are some suggestions that may help support your conversations with patients prescribed opioids:^17,18

Frame the conversation as a safety discussion. Make it clear that every patient who is prescribed opioids is also prescribed naloxone, and that naloxone prescribing is a standard practice meant to help keep patients prepared in case of an opioid emergency. Describe what naloxone is and how it works.
Explain that anyone who takes prescription opioids is at risk of accidental overdose and death, even if they take their medicine exactly as directed.
Explain that naloxone is a lifesaving medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose in an emergency.
Consider comparing naloxone to a fire extinguisher—it’s there in case of emergency. Remind the patient that it’s your job to help them stay safe. Emphasize that prescribing naloxone is a step you are taking to accomplish that.
Reiterate that co-prescribing naloxone is a standard care measure that is supported by the CDC. Emphasize that it is a safety precaution, and an action you take with all patients prescribed opioids.

Before your patient leaves the office, remind them to present their prescription for KLOXXADO^® with their opioid medication prescription at the pharmacy. For more information about KLOXXADO^®, including helpful patient resources and answers to frequently asked questions, visit KLOXXADO.com.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for KLOXXADO^® for complete product details.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Emergent’s recommendations, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. See below for a full list of resources and their attributing links.

References

Kopitnik NL, Huecker MR. Opioid Prescribing. [Updated 2024 Dec 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK551720/.
Chronic Pain. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain. Accessed November 18, 2025.
About Prescription Opioids. CDC Overdose Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/prescription-opioids.html. Accessed November 18, 2025.
Yorkgitis B, Harmon I, Khan A, et al. Naloxone Prescribing Among Long-Term Opioid-Prescribed Patients: Disparities and Opportunities. Cureus. 2025;17(4): e82180. DOI 10.7759/cureus.82180.
Dowell D, Ragan KR, Jones CM, Baldwin GT, Chou R. CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain—United States, 2022. MMWR Recomm Rep 2022;71(No. RR-3):1-95.
Considerations for Clinicians when Co-prescribing Benzodiazepines and Opioids. State of Rhode Island Department of Health website. Available at: https://health.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur1006/files/publications/guides/ConsiderationsForCliniciansWhenCo-PrescribingBenzodiazepinesAndOpioids.pdf. Accessed November 18, 2025.
Coates S, Lazarus P. Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Morphine Metabolism and Drug-Drug Interactions. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2023 Nov;387(2):150-169.
Opiate Overdose. University of Florida Health website. Available at: https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/opiate-overdose. Accessed November 18, 2025.
Opioid Overdose. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24583-opioid-overdose. Accessed November 18, 2025.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit. Publication No. PEP23-03-00-001, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2025.
Lifesaving Naloxone. CDC Stop Overdose website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/naloxone.html. Accessed November 18, 2025.
KLOXXADO^® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray [prescribing information]. Columbus, OH: Hikma Specialty USA Inc., 2025.
Access to Naloxone Can Save a Life During an Opioid Overdose. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/access-naloxone-can-save-life-during-opioid-overdose. Accessed November 18, 2025.
Information about Naloxone and Nalmefene. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-naloxone-and-nalmefene. Accessed December 17, 2025.
Naloxone Toolkit/PDF-When to Offer Naloxone to Patients. CDC Overdose Prevention website. Available at: https://cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/media/pdfs/2024/07/FactSheet-When-to-Offer-Naloxone-to-Patients.pdf. Accessed November 18, 2025.
Cerebral Hypoxia. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6025-cerebral-hypoxia. Accessed November 18, 2025.
Scripting for talking to patients and their loved ones about naloxone. Kaiser Permanente^® Provider website. Available at: https://wa-provider.kaiserpermanente.org/static/pdf/provider/resources/naloxone-prescribing.pdf. Accessed November 18, 2025.
Naloxone Toolkit/PDF-Talking About Naloxone with Patients Prescribed Opioids. CDC Overdose Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/media/pdfs/2024/04/Conversation-Starter_Naloxone_FINAL_4_11_2024.pdf. Accessed November 18, 2025.

PP-KLOX-US-00051

Opioids on Campus? Be Ready With KLOXXADO® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg - Kloxxado®

Editor — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 01:20:02 GMT

The Importance of Naloxone for Older Adults on Medications - Kloxxado®

Editor — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 07:46:07 GMT

Did you know that more than half of adults aged 65 and older take 4 or more prescription drugs? For many, it’s because they’re managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and/or arthritis. Chronic pain is also common, and many take prescription opioids—some at high doses—to get relief. Yet research shows that only a small percentage of patients who take prescription opioids are also prescribed naloxone. Read on to learn more about the importance of naloxone for older adults on medications, and why loved ones and/or caregivers should keep a naloxone product like KLOXXADO^® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg on hand for emergencies.

Many older adults are prescribed opioids

According to a 2021 article published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, nearly 3 million adults received prescription opioids between 2011 and 2015, and half of them were older than 65. And while overall opioid prescribing has declined over the last decade, prescription opioid fill rates have remained high in older patients.

Older adults are often prescribed multiple medications

As people age and require multiple medications, they can encounter a number of drug-related risks. Physical changes can affect how the body uses and breaks down certain medicines. Cognitive changes can lead to a forgotten dose or other medication errors. Taking multiple medications can also increase the chances of dangerous drug interactions. Consider opioids and antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines, for example. People who take both face a higher risk of accidental opioid overdose because of how these medications interact.

Many older people are at risk for this specific type of drug interaction. A 2022 study of Medicare patients showed that nearly a quarter of participants took both high daily doses of opioids (ie, ≥50 morphine milligram equivalents, or MMEs) and CNS active drugs (eg, anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, muscle relaxers and/or anticonvulsants). The combination can be risky, so it’s important to be prepared for an opioid overdose emergency.

Most older adults who take opioids do not receive naloxone

Naloxone can be given safely to people of all ages, from infants to elderly adults. However, research has shown that naloxone is underprescribed among the older patients who may need it most. In spite of the higher overdose risk faced by patients who were taking both opioids and CNS active medications, one study showed that just 9% received naloxone over a 2-year period. In a survey of primary care providers who prescribe opioids to older adults, 87% indicated that they rarely or never prescribe naloxone to older patients.

Protect your older loved one from accidental opioid overdose

If you have an older loved one who takes prescription opioids, you shouldn’t necessarily assume that the doctor has given them a naloxone product to have on hand in case of an accidental overdose. Consider accompanying your loved one to their next checkup to remind them to ask the doctor for a naloxone prescription, or request naloxone from a local community-based program in your area. Other things you can do to help your older loved one stay safe include:

Make a List—Write down all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements your loved one takes. Encourage them to share this information with all of their healthcare professionals.
Create a Single Point of Contact—Fill all prescriptions at the same trusted pharmacy. That way, the pharmacist can help your loved one avoid dangerous prescription drug interactions and duplicate prescriptions.
Know the Signs of Opioid Overdose—Opioid overdose is a life-threatening medical emergency. Some signs of an opioid overdose include:
– pale face and skin that is clammy to the touch
– limp body
– unresponsiveness and/or inability to speak
– slowed or stopped breathing and/or heart rate

Be prepared to act if you see the signs of overdose. Keep a naloxone product like KLOXXADO^® in the home for use in case of emergency. To learn more about opioid overdose and how KLOXXADO® Nasal Spray works, visit KLOXXADO.com.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for KLOXXADO^® for complete product details.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Emergent’s recommendations, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a full list of resources and their attributing links, see below.

KLOXXADO® Shelf-Life Extended to 36 months - Kloxxado®

Editor — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 12:56:13 GMT

The FDA has recently announced the approval of the shelf-life extension of KLOXXADO® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg from 24 to 36 months from date of manufacture. KLOXXADO® packaging has been updated with 36-month dating, starting with product manufactured in March 2024.

KLOXXADO® – a high dose option – is a ready-to-use nasal naloxone approved for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, providing an important treatment option in addressing the overdose epidemic. Naloxone has long been recognized as an important, safe and effective treatment in the fight against opioid overdose.

About Naloxone

Naloxone hydrochloride is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It can quickly restore normal breathing in someone experiencing an opioid overdose and should be given to any person who shows signs of an opioid overdose or when an opioid overdose is suspected.

KLOXXADO® is indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression, for adult and pediatric patients. KLOXXADO® is not a substitute for emergency medical care. KLOXXADO® is intended for immediate administration as emergency therapy in settings where opioids may be present.

This product has been approved for marketing in the United States by the US FDA. This product approval does not confer the right on Hikma, or any other party, to market this product outside the United States.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for KLOXXADO® for complete product details.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Emergent’s recommendations, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a full list of resources and their attributing links, see below.

Naloxone: What is Naloxone and How Does It Work - Kloxxado®

Editor — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 05:55:00 GMT

The science behind naloxone

Drug overdose is the leading cause of unintentional death in the US, and most of these overdoses involve opioids. Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can be used to quickly reverse opioid overdose and help the victim start breathing within minutes. Naloxone is available in a variety of forms, including intranasal spray, which virtually anyone can use to save the life of someone suffering an opioid overdose. Read on to learn more about what naloxone is and how it works.

What is naloxone?

Naloxone is a medicine called an opioid antagonist. It can be used to quickly reverse the effects of opioids and help restore breathing in a person who has experienced an overdose. Naloxone was patented in 1961, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration 10 years later and is considered an essential medicine by the World Health Organization. Naloxone is available as an intranasal spray that is easy to carry and use in an emergency situation. One brand of naloxone nasal spray is called KLOXXADO^® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg.

How is naloxone administered?

Naloxone can be given as a shot (in a muscle or under the skin), as an IV (in a vein) or as a nasal spray. The introduction of naloxone nasal spray in 2015 was a critical development because it enabled people without medical training to safely and effectively administer this life-saving medicine.

What happens during an opioid overdose?

Opioids include prescription drugs such as fentanyl, oxycodone (Oxycontin^®), hydrocodone (Vicodin^®), codeine and morphine, as well as illegal substances such as heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Opioids work (to relieve pain, for example) by binding to opioid receptors. (Opioid receptors are found on nerve cells throughout the body, including the brain.) When opioids bind to opioid receptors in the respiratory center of the brain, they can potentially interfere with the body’s natural urge to breathe. This situation, which is called opioid-induced respiratory depression, can quickly progress to a decreased level of consciousness. If and when this happens, a person could slip into a coma, suffer brain damage and/or die.

How does naloxone affect opioids?

Naloxone works by moving opioids off the opioid receptors in the brain. When naloxone is administered soon after someone starts experiencing an opioid overdose, the effects of naloxone can begin to work within 1-3 minutes to help restore breathing. Repeat administration of naloxone may be necessary if the person does not respond after 2-3 minutes or if overdose symptoms continue.

What happens if I give naloxone to someone who is not overdosing on opioids?

Naloxone is safe to use even if opioids aren’t present, so it’s best to use even if you only suspect that an overdose is occurring. (If the person is, in fact, overdosing on opioids, naloxone can—but does not always—cause unpleasant opioid withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or irritability and/or nausea or vomiting.)

Does naloxone work on non-opioids?

Naloxone works only on overdoses caused by opioids. It will not reverse overdose resulting from non-opioid drugs such as cocaine. That said, it is important to keep in mind that it is not uncommon for non-opioids to be laced with fentanyl. Some drug dealers do this to enhance the “high” and promote the addictive properties of the substances they sell. It takes only 2 mg of fentanyl to cause a deadly opioid overdose, and when drug dealers misjudge how much fentanyl to add, the results can be fatal. If multiple drugs are suspected to be involved in an overdose, always to try to revive the victim with naloxone.

Who may be at risk of accidental opioid poisoning?

Anyone taking opioids could be at risk for accidental opioid poisoning. You may be at a higher risk of accidental overdose if you take opioids and:

Have a history of overdose or a substance use disorder (SUD)
Have sleep apnea or other sleep-disordered breathing
Are taking higher dosages of opioids (e.g., ≥50 MME/day)
Are returning to a high dose after losing tolerance (e.g., patients undergoing tapering or recently released from prison)
Take benzodiazepines with opioids
Have kidney or liver failure
Are 65 years and older

If you or someone you live with takes opioids and meets one or more of the criteria above, be prepared. Make sure an intranasal naloxone spray like KLOXXADO® is part of your first aid kit.

Where can I get naloxone?

Your doctor can tell you more about naloxone and may write you a prescription (if naloxone is covered by your health insurance, having a prescription may enable you to get it at a lower cost or maybe even at no cost). Naloxone intranasal spray, like KLOXXADO®, is available at pharmacies across the United States. If your pharmacy doesn’t carry naloxone, they should be able to order it for you. You may also be able to get naloxone through a community program in your city or state.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for KLOXXADO® for complete product details.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Emergent’s recommendations, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a full list of resources and their attributing links, see below.

US FDA Approves KLOXXADO® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg to Treat Opioid Overdose - Kloxxado®

Editor — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 07:25:39 GMT

On April 30, 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration approved of KLOXXADO® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg, a new opioid overdose reversal medication.

Naloxone, the key medicine in KLOXXADO®, has a long history of safe use as the standard of care for reversing opioid overdoses. It can be administered by individuals with or without medical training. According to health organizations, widely prescribing and distributing naloxone may play a vital role in the fight against opioid overdose.

“Communities are looking for tools to respond to the epidemic of drug overdoses, and the FDA action today adds a powerful one,” said Dr. Patrice Harris, chair of the American Medical Association’s opioid task force.

The FDA approval of KLOXXADO® is a vital step in providing patients, friends and family members – as well as the public health community – with a new option for treating opioid overdose.

KLOXXADO® is sold in packages containing two nasal spray devices and is now available in pharmacies and community programs.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for KLOXXADO® for complete product details.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Emergent’s recommendations, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a full list of resources and their attributing links, see below.

KLOXXADO® Naloxone Blog

Co-Prescribing KLOXXADO® (naloxone HCI) nasal spray 8 mg for Your Patients Taking Prescription Opioids - Kloxxado®

Accidental overdose may not be an obvious risk to patients prescribed opioids

Co-prescribing naloxone could potentially save a life

KLOXXADO® is simple to use and proven safe and effective

Healthcare providers play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive naloxone

The CDC supports co-prescribing naloxone for patients taking prescription opioids

Co-prescribe KLOXXADO® to your patients taking prescription opioids

Recognize the signs of opioid overdose

Educate patients about the risk of opioid overdose and co-prescribe KLOXXADO®

References

Opioids on Campus? Be Ready With KLOXXADO® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg - Kloxxado®

The Importance of Naloxone for Older Adults on Medications - Kloxxado®

Many older adults are prescribed opioids

Older adults are often prescribed multiple medications

Most older adults who take opioids do not receive naloxone

Protect your older loved one from accidental opioid overdose

KLOXXADO® Shelf-Life Extended to 36 months - Kloxxado®

About Naloxone

Naloxone: What is Naloxone and How Does It Work - Kloxxado®

The science behind naloxone

What is naloxone?

How is naloxone administered?

What happens during an opioid overdose?

How does naloxone affect opioids?

What happens if I give naloxone to someone who is not overdosing on opioids?

Does naloxone work on non-opioids?

Who may be at risk of accidental opioid poisoning?

Where can I get naloxone?

US FDA Approves KLOXXADO® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg to Treat Opioid Overdose - Kloxxado®

KLOXXADO^® is simple to use and proven safe and effective

Co-prescribe KLOXXADO^® to your patients taking prescription opioids

Educate patients about the risk of opioid overdose and co-prescribe KLOXXADO^®