What is naloxone

Naloxone is a medicine that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by blocking opioid drugs, such as heroin and oxycodone, from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain.

It can be administered as an injection or as a nasal spray.

Naloxone is a short term, emergency medicine. It lasts 30 to 90 minutes.

After a person takes naloxone, they must get emergency medical treatment or they could overdose again.

Naloxone is a safe medicine. A person can't misuse it and it won’t cause an overdose.

Read more about naloxone, how it's used and find resources on the Insight - Dovetail website.

About the program

The Take Home Naloxone (THN) program provides free naloxone to people at risk of an opioid overdose. It’s for people who:

  • use opioid drugs such as heroin
  • take prescription opioid medicines such as codeine
  • are a carer, friend or family member of someone who's at risk of overdose.

There are 2 types of organisations that can supply free naloxone through the program.

  • Approved providers such as community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies and approved medical practitioners
  • Authorised alternative suppliers such as Hospital and Health Services (HHS), alcohol and other drug treatment and related community and health services

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care funds the program. Learn more about the program, funding and download resources on their website.

How to take part

The Pharmacy Programs Administrator (PPA) manages the program. Your organisation must comply with the PPA’s program rules to take part.

Approved providers

If you're interested in being an approved provider, such as a community or hospital pharmacy, find out how to take part on the PPA website.

Authorised alternative supplier

If you're interested in being an authorised alternative supplier you must nominate your organisation to Queensland Health. This applies to alcohol and other drug or other community services.

Fill in the Authorised alternative supplier site nomination template form (XLSX 19 KB) and email it to THN@health.qld.gov.au.

Once we get your nomination form, we’ll share it with the PPA so you can register for the PPA portal.   You need to provide data to the PPA every time your organisation gives naloxone to a person.

Read the PPA's user guide for authorised alternative suppliers to learn more.

Where to order naloxone

Depending on your organisation and ordering pathways, authorised alternative suppliers can order naloxone from Queensland Health’s Central Pharmacy. We’ll give you the Central Pharmacy ordering information after we get your nomination.

You can also order from pharmaceutical wholesalers that are taking part in the program.

Naloxone is free but you may have to pay service and delivery charges depending on who you order from.

Training for authorised alternative suppliers

Your staff must complete training before they can give naloxone to a person. You can do the free training elearning course on the Insight - Dovetail website. The training includes webinars, videos and resources on:

  • the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose
  • how to respond to an opioid overdose
  • how to give naloxone to a person.

Health professionals can also get the Take Home Naloxone toolkit on the Insight - Dovetail website.

Help and support for clients and carers

If you or someone you care for needs access to naloxone, you can access it from participating:

  • community or hospital pharmacies
  • approved medical practitioners, such as GP clinics
  • alcohol and other drug treatment services, including needle and syringe services
  • other health or community services
  • Hospital and Health Services (HHS).

Naloxone is free in limited amounts if you or someone you know is at risk of opioid overdose. You don’t need a prescription to get it.

Search the list of organisations and pharmacies that provide naloxone on the PPA website.

For more help, talk to your pharmacist, GP or support worker.

If you're concerned about your own or someone else's substance use, call Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support on 1800 177 833. You can also visit their website for more information or to chat with a counsellor online.

Last updated: 5 September 2024