March 29 represents a special day for medical toxicologist Jeffrey Brent, MD, PhD, as it marks two years since the Food and Drug Administration approved the first over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray — a potentially life-saving medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
Brent, a distinguished clinical professor of medicine and emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a national leader in medical toxicology, was part of the FDA’s advisory committee that unanimously recommended the FDA approve the naloxone (sold under the brand name of Narcan) — a decision that he says has “unquestionably” saved more lives over the past two years.
Yet, despite naloxone’s greater accessibility, there are many people who do not know how to properly administer naloxone, posing potential risks to the effectiveness of the medicine. We recently spoke with Brent about what people should know about naloxone, how to use it, ongoing research on its use, and reflections on the decision to make it over the counter.
The following interview has been edited and condensed.