Comparison of Administration of 8-Milligram and 4-Milligram Intranasal Naloxone by Law Enforcement During Response to Suspected Opioid Overdose 2022-2023

An 8-mg intranasal naloxone formulation, a higher-concentration product than had previously been available, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 for emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. This study examined outcomes among persons who received the 8-mg naloxone product and those who receive the usual 4-mg product to treat suspected overdose in New York state. New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) partnered with New York State Police (NYSP) to field test 8-mg intranasal naloxone use by some NYSP troops.

Despite the increased naloxone concentration in the 8-mg intranasal product, no significant differences were found in the survival of aided persons, or the number of doses administered by law enforcement by formulation, suggesting that, in this field test, the increased dosage did not provide added benefit, even in light of the increased prevalence of synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, in the drug supply.