Have you heard about Naloxone? It saves lives!
Here at Visions we provide naloxone (Prenoxad) to anyone who may be at risk of overdose from using opiates. We train anyone at risk, or their carers and family members and also anyone who works with people or in settings where they think overdose is a risk (such as hostels and crisis centres).
Once trained we will replace the kit if it is used or reaches its expiry.
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is a medication that is used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid drugs like heroin, morphine, methadone, codeine etc. Naloxone has been used for many years by healthcare professionals in hospitals, and by ambulance crews and paramedics in communities as an ’emergency rescue medicine’, when there’s a suspected opioid (or opioid-related) overdose. When someone accidentally overdoses and opioid drugs are involved, their breathing can be compromised and this can lead to their death. Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects by helping to restore the breathing of the person, ‘buying time’ before an ambulance arrives and ultimately saving lives!
I saved my friends life. He used, went over and wouldn’t be here now if I hadn’t had my kit with me
- Service User
My whole value of life has changed, but now I have a 2nd chance at life and I’m not going to waste it.
- Service User
It’s a magical yellow box. I owe my life to that little yellow box. If my sister hadn’t found me I wouldn’t be here now. Thanks for training her so she knew what to do.
- Service User
Is it legal?
Prenoxad Injection (naloxone hydrochloride 1mg/1ml solution for injection) is a type of naloxone that can be prescribed to anyone who is at risk of an opioid overdose. It can also be supplied to the friends, family or other representative of someone identified to be at risk, but only with the written consent from the person for whom it is to be supplied. Prenoxad Injection can only be made available once the prescriber has assessed the suitability and competence of a client or representative to administer it in the appropriate circumstances. It’s legal to carry Prenoxad Injection and it will not be confiscated by the police as long as the pack has not been opened.
Important information to know
The law allows naloxone to be used by members of the public to save a life in an emergency. This could be a friend or family member of someone who is at risk of opioid overdose. It may be used in the home or elsewhere. It is designed as an emergency rescue or first aid treatment so it does not replace the need to get medical attention as soon as possible. It is crucial that an ambulance is still called by dialling 999 and that the casualty is seen by the ambulance crew. This is because naloxone will wear off after a short time and there is a danger of the casualty going back into an overdose situation.
