Naloxone

Take Home Naloxone in the UK

Naloxone (provided under the brand names Prenoxad and Nyxoid in the UK) is a medication used to reverse opioid overdose. Since 2015, this medication has been more widely available in the UK as a ‘take home’ emergency medication.

Find out more

NALOXONE.ORG.UK

This website aims to be a hub for information, guidance, news and research on Take Home Naloxone (THN). The main focus is on THN in the UK, although we have included select pieces of information on the supply of naloxone internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to put someone in the recovery position

PHE Guidance

Updated 18 February 2019
Public Health England have released updated guidance on take home naloxone in the UK, entiled ‘Widening the Availability of Naloxone’. This can be found on the PHE website.
  • Drug services can supply naloxone without a prescription
  • Products that drug services can supply
  • Responsibility for deciding who can supply naloxone
  • People who can be supplied naloxone by a drug service
  • Using naloxone to save a person’s life without their permission
  • Clinical governance in drug treatment services
  • Guidance for hostels, homeless shelters and housing associations
  • Side effects associated with naloxone
View Guidance

Family carers and the prevention of heroin overdose deaths: Unmet training need and overlooked intervention opportunity of resuscitation training and supply of naloxone

Written on . Posted in Research

Findings: Carers were usually parents (80%); 89% were currently caring for a heroin user of whom 49% had already had an overdose (93% involving opiates). One third had witnessed heroin being used, and 31 had witnessed an overdose. For eight carers, there had already been a death from drug overdose. There was poor knowledge of how to manage an overdose. Only a quarter had received advice on overdose management (26%) and only one third knew of the opiate antagonist naloxone (33%). The majority (88%) wanted training in overdose management, especially in emergency naloxone administration (88%). Interest in training did not differ according to carer type nor previous overdose experience.

More research  

ACMD young people’s drug use and naloxone provision

Following advice in response to COVID-19, 3 public evidence gathering days which were being arranged by the ACMD to inform reports on young people’s drug use and naloxone provision have been postponed until further notice. We are instead inviting relevant stakeholders to provide written submissions to help support these workstreams.

More Details

News/Updates

My Husband Invented Naloxone, My Son Died of Overdose. Oregon Gives Me Hope.

Written on . Posted in Press

On election day, voters in Oregon took a decisive and important step to stemming the tide of overdose deaths and other drug-related harms. In a first-of-its kind ballot initiative, 58.5 percent of Oregonians voted to decriminalize personal possession of drugs, and invest heavily in treatment and services to help those struggling with addiction. While this move comes too late to help my son, Jonathan, who died of a heroin overdose in 2003, it will save countless lives going forward.

Naloxone To Save More Lives Under Amended Drug Law (Australia)

Written on . Posted in News, Press

Minister for Health Martin Foley will today introduce amendments to the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act thatwill allow people other than pharmacists to seek authorisation to supply Naloxone to people who are at risk of, or who may witness, an overdose. This will include health workers in needle and syringe programs, and potentially other organisations that intersect closely with people who use opioids – including services such as alcohol and drug treatment providers, and through them, peers.

My Husband Invented Naloxone, My Son Died of Overdose. Oregon Gives Me Hope.

Written on . Posted in Press

On election day, voters in Oregon took a decisive and important step to stemming the tide of overdose deaths and other drug-related harms. In a first-of-its kind ballot initiative, 58.5 percent of Oregonians voted to decriminalize personal possession of drugs, and invest heavily in treatment and services to help those struggling with addiction. While this move comes too late to help my son, Jonathan, who died of a heroin overdose in 2003, it will save countless lives going forward.

This website has been made possible through the provision of an arm length/unrestricted educational grant from Ethypharm. Ethypharm do not control and are not liable for any of the content placed, or any of the claims that may be made, on this site.

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