“What is naloxone? I’ve heard you can now get it for free from chemists and it helps people who have overdosed. Is that true and, if so, how does it work? Why is the government giving it out for free?”
Naloxone is a medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an ‘opioid overdose’. Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, as well as pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as codeine and morphine. Some opioids are plant-based and come from the opium poppy (these are referred to as ‘opiates’), while others are synthetic and are made in a laboratory. Like all drugs, opioids have side effects. They depress the central nervous system and when the amount of opioid in a person’s blood exceeds their tolerance, breathing can become compromised. It slows down and can completely stop, resulting in death. This is commonly referred to as an opioid overdose.
In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of Australians who have died from opioid overdoses. For example, in 2020, 1,814 people died from drug-induced deaths, with opioids present in 1091 (60%) of those deaths. Naloxone has been identified as an effective way to prevent and respond to this issue and, for that reason, the federal government introduced the national Take Home Naloxone (THN) program in July 2022. This program allows people to access the drug for free from registered pharmacies, approved general practitioners in remote areas and registered community health organisations. You don’t need a prescription, Medicare card or even identification to be supplied free naloxone. Two formulations are typically available – a pre-filled syringe for injection and an intranasal spray – with the spray being the most likely to be provided by most pharmacists. Two single-dose sprays come in each free packet.
It’s important to remember that the effects of naloxone are temporary, and administering this medication is not an alternative to calling for help. Always call 000 for an ambulance.
Recently, other illegal drugs, such as cocaine, MDMA and ketamine, have been found to be adulterated with a powerful group of opioids called nitazenes. Sadly, as a result, we have seen some deaths. To help reduce the risk of an overdose it has been suggested that those who use any illegal drug consider keeping naloxone in their home first aid kit. Naloxone is safe and will not cause harm if given to someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose. Signs of a potential opioid overdose include breathing slowly and reduced consciousness (meaning someone is hard to rouse), being awake but unable to talk, vomiting or making choking/gurgling sounds, pinpoint (very small) pupils, or having bluish or purplish fingernails and lips. If you see any of these in a person who has used any drug and you have naloxone on hand, administer one of the single-dose intranasal sprays, and then call 000. When it is sprayed into the affected person’s nose it quickly enters the bloodstream, helping the person wake up and breathe again, giving more time for medical assistance to arrive. It’s important to note that due to the potency of nitazenes, multiple doses of naloxone may be needed to revive those who have overdosed.
Once again, naloxone is not a substitute for getting medical assistance – if someone is in trouble after taking any drug, always call 000.
First published: November 2024
