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What is naloxone?

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects of opioids including heroin and pharmaceutical opioids such as methadone and morphine.

Naloxone is safe to use, non- addictive and has no active effect other than to reverse opioid overdose. Administering naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose and keep a person alive and breathing until the ambulance arrives.

Naloxone is a short acting medication so it is vital to call an ambulance and continue to monitor the overdosed person. It is important to use naloxone in addition to calling an ambulance, not instead of calling an ambulance!

Naloxone is available as ampoules for intramuscular injection and as an intranasal spray. The intranasal spray is a good option for people who are not comfortable or confident using needles and is a quick way to administer naloxone without needing to deal with needles, syringes and ampoules.

If you are going to use the ampoules, you will need to make sure you access 5 x 3ml syringes and 5 x 23 gauge needle tips (minimum 1 inch) and a sharps disposal unit. You do not need any additional equipment for the naloxone nasal spray.

How can I access naloxone?

Under the Take Home Naloxone Program, naloxone is available free to people who may either experience, or witness, an opioid overdose. No prescription is required.

To help you to find a participating pharmacy near you, DASSA has created an online user-friendly map, the Take Home Naloxone (THN) Registered Pharmacies Locator map, available at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/naloxone.

The location of Hepatitis SA Peer staffed Clean Needle Programs can be found on our NSP Sites page.


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