Get Overdose Prevention Supplies for Yourself or a Loved One

An overdose can happen anytime, anywhere. Prevent or reverse one by having naloxone and drug testing strips on hand.

Naloxone

Naloxone is a safe, easy-to-use, life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose caused by:

• prescription medications used to treat pain
• illegal drugs like heroin and illicit fentanyl

When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing.

Naloxone is available in the following forms: 

• Intranasal naloxone (4 mg and 8 mg options)
• Intramuscular naloxone (0.4 mg/mL single dose vials only)

Drug testing strips

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid added to many drugs. It only takes an amount the size of three grains of salt to cause a fatal overdose. Fentanyl test strips can detect fentanyl in other substances to reduce the risk of overdose.

Xylazine, aka 'tranq' or 'tranq dope,' is a non-opioid sedative approved for animal use but not safe for humans. Xylazine test strips can detect xylazine in other drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl.

Local walk-in, pick-up, or delivery

Through the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs' Overdose Prevention Program, free naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and xylazine test strips are available statewide.

Mail-order delivery

Pennsylvania residents can receive free naloxone by mail through a partnership with NEXT Distro, Prevention Point Pittsburgh, and Vital Strategies.   

View a training video, answer a short quiz, and provide enrollment information to submit the request.

With a prescription

The Department of Health's naloxone standing order is a prescription written for the general public, allowing anyone to purchase naloxone at their pharmacy.

First responders can use the standing order specific to them to obtain naloxone. 

Commercial insurance 

Check with your insurance to see if naloxone is covered. If it is, you may need to pay part of the cost (a copay). You can also use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to buy naloxone.

Get help with your copay

You may be eligible to receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs for naloxone through the Department of Aging's Naloxone Copay Assistance Program.

Medical Assistance

If you have Medical Assistance, the program will cover the full cost of naloxone. No special approval or limits are required, and you can get naloxone as many times as needed.

Over-the-counter

Some naloxone products are available over-the-counter (OTC) anywhere other common medications like ibuprofen are available, such as pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, or gas stations.