Take Home Naloxone Program via Participating Community Pharmacies

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Arturo88 on 27/08/2024 - 09:03 ppaonline.com.au (401 clicks)
Last edited 27/08/2024 - 11:37 by 1 other user

From 1 July 2022, naloxone is available for free with no prescription. This is for anyone who may experience, or witness, an opioid overdose or adverse reaction.

Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose or adverse reaction. If someone has overdosed on opioids they will be unconscious or awake, but unable to talk. It’s unlikely they will be able to administer naloxone themselves.

Naloxone can be taken by injection or delivery through a nasal spray. It works by blocking opioid drugs, such as heroin and oxycodone, from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain.

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Pharmacy Programs Administrator (Australian Healthcare Associates)

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        Jolakot on 27/08/2024 - 14:40

        Has prohibition ever actually worked? We can't even ban cigarettes despite them leading to actual deaths

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          testpost on 27/08/2024 - 14:42

          @Jolakot: I'm spinning a bit of a hypothetical. Clearly it's completely unfeasible to ban alcohol but my point is that the most damaging substances to society are also the most innocuous. Opioids really aren't that big a burden on our country compared to the consequences of alcoholism or poor diet.

          It's just easier for most people to draw a line in the sand with illegal drugs whilst also typically living pretty unhealthily themselves.

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      mskeggs on 27/08/2024 - 17:41

      I don't think you have a clue on this topic.
      I've been close to 4 people who have been regular users of opiates, 1 died, 3 gave them up and are respectable members of society now.
      I've known quite a few more who have used opiates irregularly, including people with lots of money from a serious career.

      Any of these people could have OD'd and one did. Their parents would have very much liked to have had someone give that person some naloxone instead of having to organize a funeral.

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    Donmega123 on 27/08/2024 - 17:37

    Dude junkies are people that shoot junk it's a pretty uncontroversial designation

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  Cluster on 27/08/2024 - 12:10

  It's mind blowing watching some of the Youtube videos of worst fentanyl areas in Pennsylvania. Many of the addicts interviewed on the street freely admit they've come close to death dozens of times through overdoses but they just keep coming back again and again. 'Yeah, I know this can kill me' and 5 minutes later they're looking for another dose.

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    MessyG on 27/08/2024 - 13:16

    Addiction is a horrible, horrible disease.

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  Ashy Larry on 27/08/2024 - 12:35

  If your "experiencing, witnessing" this your not living your best life.

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  Blackshaws on 27/08/2024 - 13:07

  +2

  Regarding the Take Home Naloxone program. While the initiative is great given the rapidly escalating opioid deaths, there's a significant practical issue that's not being discussed enough: STOCK AVAILABILITY.

  The main problem with this program is that naloxone is often unavailable from pharmacy wholesalers, and it goes out of stock for months at a time. This can make it frustrating for both pharmacies and individuals trying to access this when it is critically needed.

  If you're in the inner West Melbourne area, specifically near Altona North, at Blackshaws Road Pharmacy, we currently have a number of Nyxoid nasal sprays on hand. We're setting them aside for people who need them.

  You can find more information and reserve one here:
  https://blackshawspharmacy.com.au/products/nyxoid-1-8mg-actu…

  Important notes:

  These are for in-store pickup only.
  You'll need to speak with a pharmacist when you come to collect, as Nyxoid is a Schedule 3 medication.
  I hope this helps some of you who've been having trouble finding naloxone. Remember, having this on hand could potentially save a life in an emergency situation.

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  May4th on 27/08/2024 - 13:54

  isnt it great nowadays people feel empowered to offer their unqualified opinions on topics they have no clue about

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  thatguyfromthatplace on 27/08/2024 - 14:03

  -1

  I think I'll leave it to the paramedics, thanks.

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  testpost on 27/08/2024 - 14:04

  A few notes based upon what I've read here:

  Is it addictive?
  No. It would be physiologically impossible to become addicted to Naloxone as it does the opposite of drugs like heroin, it BLOCKS instead of activates.

  Do I need it?
  I'd recommend keeping a few doses in your car's first aid kit or at home.
  If you or people you know take any form of drugs then yes, it is advisable. Drugs like ketamine, cocaine or MDMA have been found to be laced with fentanyl, an extremely powerful opiate that can rapidly lead to an overdose crisis.
  If you are concerned about a friend or family member abusing opiates then it might save their life.
  If you are in an area where there is a large 'at risk' population then you would be doing a public service by having it on hand.

  Remember that the same victim blaming and incorrect perceptions about drug use in the United States is a contributing factor as to how the current opioid crisis was allowed to spread. A huge number of people who overdose on opiates started using them to manage pain from an injury. Others are escaping profoundly miserable lives using a drug less conventional than alcohol. More still are simply the unknowing victims of opiates being in a party drug. Almost all of us can potentially fall into one of these 3 categories at some point in our lives, so try not to be prejudiced or make assumptions.

  Do people get angry after receiving naloxone?
  Be aware that Naloxone basically does the exact opposite of opiates - so people who are in a painless, dopey slumber may display the exact opposite behaviour in 2-3 minutes after. Do not expect them to be immediately thankful and happy to be alive - biologically speaking the life-saving effect of Naloxone may cause the opposite. So stay alert after you have administered it and put them in the recovery position.

  How do I administer naloxone?
  It depends. Most over the counter naloxone kits are administered through a nasal spray, which is designed to be extremely easy to use! You can read more about how to properly assess and administer it here:
  * https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/programs/Factsheets/naloxo…
  * https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf…

  What if my kid takes it or someone who doesn't need it is given it?
  According to the US FDA and South Australian Government they will be fine.

  What happens after?
  You should be calling an ambulance before administration of Naloxone. Be aware that Naloxone works for a few hours, tops. Some opiates can remain in your system longer than Naloxone, so after a while the individual may begin to overdose again.This is why it is vital for emergency services to be called.

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  Clear on 27/08/2024 - 14:13

  This makes me crave fentanyl. I've only ever had it in hospital and I know how easy it could become addictive.

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  gfjh567gh3 on 27/08/2024 - 14:59

  +2

  Is it free, or is my tax paying for it?

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    May4th on 27/08/2024 - 16:11

    of all the things our taxes are wasted on this isnt it

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      gfjh567gh3 on 27/08/2024 - 16:40

      +1

      Not to seem too harsh, but many view these as a cash cow for big pharma and the only benefit is keeping junkies alive for a few months longer. We already know they wake up swinging. USA has had narcan for years

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        May4th on 27/08/2024 - 17:06

        maybe so, but that's another few months of being someones son or daughter, and if 1/100 ends up clean and lead a productive life then that's money well spent than on helicopters rides for politicians

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          gfjh567gh3 on 27/08/2024 - 17:44

          @May4th: I'm afraid that 1 in 100 is a an ambitious number for redemption. Those other 99+ are doing a lot of damage to society and those around them.

          I have a lot of empathy for people that slipped through the cracks, however it may have happened, and are now addicts. For many, it's not their fault. But realistically, once you hit the point of being narcaned, you are statistically very unlikely to turn that around and become a productive member of society

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  jebdra on 27/08/2024 - 15:07

  +2

  It seems a bit unfair that this is free, but people with severe allergies have to pay $30 for an EpiPen.

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    lbft on 27/08/2024 - 15:24

    +1

    Yes, all prescriptions should be free (paid for by yours and my tax, for those who are about to shout about tax). But one group of people being treated unfairly doesn't mean another group should needlessly die (since junkies are unlikely to go to a GP and get a script in their name for something that marks them as a junkie).

    Less dead people is good.

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    GS9891 on 27/08/2024 - 17:38

    Yep, absolute insanity now that you mention that. Free meds for junkies rolling the dice for a high, while people with actual allergies who generally try and play it super-safe (but might get screwed by a restaurant sneaking peanuts into a dish they promised was peanut-free) have to fork out for their life-saving meds.

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  JDearyMe on 27/08/2024 - 16:07

  Just so everyone is aware, currently there are drugs being laced with synthetic opioids that are dick loads stronger than heroin. Many people, who aren't "junkies", who aren't specifically taking heroin, or any other opioid for that manner, are at risk of accidentally ingesting a lethal amount if a drug they have is laced with it.

  Having Naloxone on hand isn't just to use on junkies on the street. It could save the life of someone who thinks they're taking some other drugs in a modest amount (mdma / cocaine / etc). Festival goers, ravers, even your mate down the pub on the weekend could be at risk.

  Safest to stay away from drugs all together, yes. But if you're going to do it this stuff may save a life.

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    GS9891 on 27/08/2024 - 17:30

    Many people, who aren't "junkies"

    if a drug they have is laced with it

    Legal drugs from the pharmacy won't be laced with anything. If someone is willing to play roulette by consuming illegal drugs from who the hell knows where, they're either a junkie or a junkie in training.

    Safest to stay away from drugs all together, yes

    And which is incredibly simple to do.

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  Cinema28 on 27/08/2024 - 16:25

  Thanks so much for posting this! So important for people to know. You can also get them from a lot of needle and syringe program sites. I work in one and we're based in a "shop" not related to any pharmacy, it's funded by the hospital. So if pharmacies are out it's definitely worth a shot looking up where NSP's are located.
  Also, free training is providing for administering it through https://www.hrvic.org.au/training. While the nasal spray is definitely the easiest there's also pre-loaded syringes and ampoules so good to know the basics of them just incase that's the only thing available.

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  AirbusA389 on 27/08/2024 - 16:27

  +2

  my wife used naloxone at work once, having worked 5 years in emergency dept. she was impressed at how fast it worked, and how much hate she received from that dude.

  hospital protocol: they had to get 5 bulky orderlies around 120kg of muscle each. one of them had his hands on the back of her uniform, to literally grab her out once she finished the injection. my wife is 60 kg and 1.68m.

  she gave 100mcg out of a 400mcg vial as per dr's orders. next moment: WWF wrestling match.

  would she do this on the streets? hell no, not without significant police and ambulance backup.

  reversing someone's opioid addiction is not first aid. those dudes spent big money to get to that stage, don't reverse it without police and ambulance backup. Ambulance is required in case they go into naloxone shock.

  it might be an act of kindness, but it's not CPR / First Aid.

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