Naloxone
Free Nyxoid® Naloxone nasal spray is available to anyone in Queensland experiencing barriers to accessing naloxone.
What is Nyxoid® Naloxone?
Nyxoid® Naloxone is a nasal spray which can be used to reverse or prevent opioid overdose. Naloxone is available in Queensland at no cost and without a prescription.
Disclaimer: This information does not take the place of medical advice. Seek your own medical advice from your doctor, pharmacist or health professional for any concerns regarding your health.
Frequently asked questions
If a person has overdosed on opioids, call an ambulance on triple zero (000) and if available, administer naloxone. If they have stopped breathing, commence CPR. If they are breathing normally, place them into the recovery position and wait with the person until the ambulance arrives.
Signs of an opioid overdose may include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Very slow breathing and/or gurgling sounds
- Slow heart rate
- Low body temperature
- Muscle twitching
- Cold clammy skin
- Blue lips and fingertips
- Skin with a bluish tinge
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
?
Yes. Naloxone is estimated to save up to 3 lives daily across Australia.
Yes. It is recommended that anyone who is at risk of an opioid overdose or witnessing an opioid overdose should have access to naloxone. Take-home naloxone is a widely endorsed policy and is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. There are no restrictions on who can receive naloxone, including age.
Naloxone is a safe medicine. A person can’t misuse it, and it won’t cause an overdose.
All medicines can have side effects; however, most naloxone side effects are minor and temporary. Some common side effects include dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting. If they persist, seek medical attention.
For people who are dependent on opioids they may experience withdrawal symptoms which include:
- Restlessness, irritability or agitation
- Change in mood
- Vomiting, nausea, stomach or muscle cramps
- Sleeping difficulty, anxiety
- Sweating, increased heart rate, high blood pressure
Please note: When Nyxoid® Naloxone is administered as per instructions, it rarely causes people who are experiencing an overdose to become aggressive.
Nyxoid® Naloxone typically acts in two to three minutes.
If there is no response within 2-3 minutes, give a 2nd dose of Nyxoid® in the other nostril. If available, you can continue to administer naloxone every 2- 3 minutes until the person recovers, or the ambulance arrives.
Yes. If administering naloxone, it is vital to call an ambulance on triple zero (000). Naloxone only lasts about 30-90 minutes and the person can overdose again once it wears off.
Please note: Nyxoid® Naloxone is not a substitution for emergency medical care
Yes. Due to the increasing risks of ‘opioids’ being found in other illicit or counterfeit drugs (including stimulants, benzodiazepines, and other depressant drugs) naloxone should be available to anyone using illicit drugs, their family and friends.
Remember... Don’t hesitate to administer naloxone in an emergency even if you're not sure if the person is experiencing an opioid overdose. It could help save their life.
It has been shown that naloxone does not encourage drug use, and in some circumstances, it may encourage people to seek support.
No. A person cannot get “high” or become “addicted” to naloxone.
Nyxoid® Naloxone should be stored at room temperature in a safe and accessible location (Do not store in the refrigerator, or in direct sunlight). Like any other medication, keep naloxone in a safe place where children and pets cannot access it.