- Free kitSupplied at no cost through a national government program
- No prescriptionAsk at the counter, there is no need to see a doctor first
- For carers and friends tooAnyone who might witness an overdose can carry it
What naloxone does
Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose or adverse reaction. It blocks drugs such as heroin and oxycodone from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain.
It comes as a nasal spray or an injection, either a pre-filled syringe or ampoules. Each product includes instructions, and the Department of Health says anyone can administer naloxone by following them. "Take home" simply means the kit stays with you, ready for an emergency.
Who can get free naloxone in Abermain
Since 1 July 2022, the Australian Government's Take Home Naloxone program has made naloxone free, without a prescription, for anyone who may experience or witness an opioid overdose. That includes people at risk as well as their carers, friends and family members.
The government says the risk of an opioid overdose is higher for:
- people whose tolerance has dropped after a break from opioids, for example following drug treatment or prison
- people using high doses together with other sedatives, such as benzodiazepines
- people with certain medical conditions, including depression, HIV, liver disease, sleep apnoea and lung disease
- anyone living in a home where opioids are stored
Federal figures show that 3 people die every day from opioid-related use in Australia.
Recognising an overdose
A person who has overdosed may be unconscious, unresponsive, or awake but unable to talk. Watch for:
- slow, shallow or erratic breathing, or none at all
- choking sounds or a snore-like gurgle
- a limp body and a pale or clammy face
- blue or purplish black lips and fingernails
- a slow, irregular or absent pulse
In an emergency: give the naloxone as the instructions show and call 000 for an ambulance immediately. If someone at risk is making unfamiliar sounds while apparently asleep, try to wake them.
At the counter
- Let our staff know you would like a naloxone kit.
- A pharmacist sits down with you briefly and explains how your kit is used. Ask anything you are unsure about.
- You take the kit home. Keep it somewhere people around you know about, and check the expiry date from time to time.
Naloxone questions
Why call an ambulance if the person wakes up?
Naloxone only lasts for about 30 to 90 minutes. Once it wears off, the person can overdose again, so they need medical care even after they come around.
Can a person give naloxone to themselves?
Probably not. A person in the middle of an overdose may not be able to move or speak, so the government notes they are unlikely to manage it alone. That is why it helps for family, friends and housemates to carry a kit and know where it is kept.
Where else is naloxone available?
Under the program it is also supplied through needle and syringe programs, drug and alcohol treatment centres and hospital pharmacies. Pharmacies outside the program sell it over the counter for a fee, and a doctor can prescribe it in every state and territory.
Who can I talk to about alcohol or drug use?
The National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 offers free, confidential information and support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This is one of our pharmacist services in Abermain.
Carry a kit, just in case
Call in to Abermain Chemist at 193 Cessnock Road during store hours for your free kit. Questions first? Phone us and speak with a pharmacist.