Naloxone

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone (pronounced na-LOX-own) is a prescription medication used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid drugs (for example heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and fentanyl) if someone experiences an overdose.
Naloxone can help to keep a person alive until an ambulance arrives.
Naloxone works by displacing opioid molecules from their receptors in the body and brain.

There are two types of Naloxone available in Ireland

Intramuscular Naloxone (brand name Prenoxad™)

A pre-filled syringe and needle which once assembled is injected into the middle outer thigh
Each pack is for SINGLE INDIVIDUAL USE only
5 doses of 0.4mg per dose

Intranasal Naloxone (brand name Nyxoid™)

A needle-free device that requires no assembly
Each pack contains 2 nasal sprays
If both doses are required they are sprayed into alternate nostrils
Each nasal spray is for SINGLE INDIVIDUAL USE only
1.8mg per dose

Observable signs of an opioid overdose

Naloxone and Covid-19

Please be advised to follow the latest HSE infection prevention and control guidelines regarding the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at the time of supporting someone experiencing overdose remains an important mitigation.
Please note that the current guidelines during covid19 do not include feeling for breath on the cheek or rescue breaths at this time.

How to respond to an opioid overdose

If someone is showing signs of an overdose call 112 or 999 for an ambulance without delay
Check if they are breathing
If they are NOT breathing start chest compressions
If they are breathing put them into the recovery position
Administer Naloxone and repeat every 2-3 minutes if required
Wait with them until the ambulance arrives

How to move a person into the recovery position

How to carry out chest compressions

Please note that the current guidelines during covid19 do not include rescue breaths at this time.

Further Naloxone Resources

Download a Step by Step guide How to administer Naloxone here

Video Resources

Please be advised to follow the latest HSE Covid19 infection prevention and control guidelines regarding the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and not feeling for breath on the cheek or providing rescue breaths during CPR at this time.

1. Video How to respond to suspected opioid overdose

2. Video How to put someone into the recovery position

3. Video How to perform CPR

4. Video How to administer Intramuscular Naloxone (Prenoxad™)

5. Currently unavailable Video How to administer Intranasal Naloxone (Nyxoid™) this will be uploaded shortly