Naloxone is the emergency antidote for overdoses caused by heroin and other opiates/opioids (such as methadone and morphine). The main life-threatening effect of heroin and other opiates is to slow down and stop breathing. Naloxone blocks this effect and reverses the breathing difficulties.

Contents:
1. What the new regulations mean
2. Who can supply naloxone
3. Products that drug services can supply
4. Responsibility for deciding who can actually supply naloxone locally
5. People who can be supplied naloxone
6. Patient Group Directions and Patient Specific Directions
7. Naloxone’s status as a prescription only medicine
8. Using naloxone to save a person’s life without their permission
9. Clinical governance in drug treatment services
10. Guidance for hostels/homeless shelters/housing associations, etc
11. The cost-effectiveness of widening availability
12. Risks associated with widening availability
13. Further advice

[Note: this guidance applies to the United Kingdom]