Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Victorians can get access to free naloxone, a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses an opioid overdose within minutes.
- Naloxone works on heroin, prescription opioids like fentanyl and oxycodone and potent synthetic opioids.
- Anyone can administer and use naloxone. Naloxone can’t harm you. Naloxone has no effect if no opioids are present. It is non-addictive, non-intoxicating and cannot be misused.
- If you think someone is having an overdose, administer naloxone and call 000.
- Naloxone comes in three forms: nasal spray, pre-filled syringe and ampoules.
- This page has information on how to use naloxone and where to find it for free.
On this page
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by blocking opioids from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. This can restore normal breathing and save a life.
Naloxone is safe for people of all ages, from infants to older adults. It has been used in hospitals for more than 50 years and has been available over the counter in Australia since 2016. Naloxone is a vital first aid tool, just like CPR, making overdose response part of everyday safety. It is non-addictive, non-intoxicating, and cannot be misused.
Opioids and overdose
Opioids include drugs like heroin and opium, as well as prescription opioids such as morphine, fentanyl, methadone and oxycodone. There are also illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which can be extremely potent. Overdose can happen if someone takes too much or too many opioids.
Sometimes opioids can be mixed into other drugs, such as cocaine, ketamine, and MDMA without people knowing. This can further increase the risk of overdose.
Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- Unconscious or unresponsive
- Slow or no breathing
- Blue or pale lips and fingertips
Naloxone is fast acting and effective in these situations. It has no effect if given to someone who has not used opioids. If you or someone you know is at risk of an opioid overdose, carry naloxone with you and save a life. In the instance of a suspected opioid overdose, the best and safest approach is to administer naloxone and to call 000.
How to administer naloxone
In an overdose emergency:
- Administer naloxone and call 000 for an ambulance.
- Stay with the person until help arrives.
Step 1: Safety
- Check the person and area for anything unsafe.
Step 2: Looking for the signs that it is an opioid overdose
- Is the person not responding?
- Are the pupils pinned?
- Are they not breathing normally – shallow slow breathing or snoring?
- Is their skin pale or cold, are their lips or fingertips blue or grey?
Step 3: Call triple zero (000)
- Explain that you think it’s an overdose
Step 4: Lie person on back
- Put them on their back and check the nose is clear.
Step 5: Hold Nyxoid bottle so spray nozzle is aiming up
- Remember Nyxoid contains 1 dose only.
Step 6: How to give Naloxone into nose
- Insert Nyxoid nozzle into the nostril.
- Press until it clicks to give the dose.
Step 7: Check they are breathing
- If they are not breathing, use rescue breathing if you know how – give 2 breaths.
Step 8: Recovery
- Put person in the ‘recovery position’ if you know how.
- Stay with them until Ambulance arrives.
Step 9: Repeat the dose of Nyxoid if needed
- If no response give 2nd dose of Nyxoid in other nostril.
- If available, give another dose every 2 to 3 minutes until person recovers or Ambulance arrives.
Use naloxone to reverse opioid overdose (e.g. heroin, morphine, methadone, oxycodone, prescription opioids, fentanyl). It takes 2–5 minutes to start working and lasts about 30-90 minutes.
Step 1: Safety
- Check the person and area for anything unsafe.
Step 2: Looking for the signs that it is an opioid overdose.
- Is the person not responding?
- Are the pupils pinned?
- Are they not breathing normally – shallow slow breathing or snoring?
- Is their skin pale or cold, are their lips or fingertips blue or grey?
Step 3 Call triple zero (000)
- Explain that you think it’s an overdose
Step 4: Lie the person on side in the recovery position.
Step 5: Screw needle onto Prenoxad prefilled syringe
Step 6: Position the needle
- Insert needle into outer thigh or upper arm of the person.
Step 7: Give one dose of Naloxone
- Only inject one dose (0.4mL) of Prenoxad, up to the first black line on the syringe. (Prenoxad syringe contains 5 doses).
Step 8: Are they breathing?
- If not, use rescue breathing if you know how – lie person on back and give 2 breaths.
Step 9: Recovery
- Put person in the recovery position.
- Stay with them until Ambulance arrives.
Step 10: Repeat dose of Prenoxad if needed
- If there is no response, inject another 0.4mL dose, to the next black line, every 2 to 3 minutes until person recovers or Ambulance arrives.
Use naloxone to reverse opioid overdose (e.g. heroin, morphine, methadone, oxycodone, prescription opioids, fentanyl). It takes 2–5 minutes to start working and lasts about 30-90 minutes.
Step 1: Safety
- Check the person and area for anything unsafe.
Step 2: Opioid overdose? Look for the signs
- Not responding
- Pinned pupils
- Not breathing normally – shallow slow breathing or snoring
- Pale or cold skin, blue or grey lips and fingertips
Step 3: Call triple zero (000)
- I think it’s an overdose
Step 4: Lie person on side
- Put person in recovery position.
Step 5: Attach the needle to a syringe
Step 6: Swirl the ampoule
- Tap or swirl ampoule so liquid is at the base.
Step 7: Hold the ampoule
- Hold base of ampoule in one hand and pinch the top with the other.
Step 8: Snap the ampoule
- Snap the ampoule top away from you.
- Use a tissue or pen lid to reduce chance of injury.
Step 9: Draw up naloxone into a syringe
- The ampoule holds one full dose of naloxone.
Step 10: Position the needle
- Insert needle into outer thigh or upper arm.
Step 11: Give one dose of naloxone
- Inject full dose of naloxone. You can inject through clothing if necessary.
Step 12: Are they breathing?
- If not, use rescue breathing if you know how – lie person on back and give 2 breaths.
Step 13: Recovery
- Put person in the recovery position.
- Stay with them until Ambulance arrives.
Step 14: Repeat dose if needed
- If no response, inject another dose every 2 to 3 minutes until person recovers or ambulance arrives.
Use naloxone to reverse opioid overdose (e.g. heroin, morphine, methadone, oxycodone, prescription opioids, fentanyl). It takes 2–5 minutes to start working and lasts about 30-90 minutes.
How to administer naloxone - translated resources
The following are translated resources on administering naloxone in Arabic, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Greek, Italian, Khmer, Punjabi, Turkish and Vietnamese.
Fact sheet (PDF)
Plain text (Word)
Fact sheet (PDF)
Plain text (Word)
Fact sheet (PDF)
Plain text (Word)
Get free naloxone near you
Pick up free naloxone from:
- participating Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) sites
- the Medically Supervised Injecting Room
- participating community pharmacies
- participating Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals.
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Harm reduction advice
If your alcohol or other drug use is having a negative impact on your life or your relationships, talk to your doctor or call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 for free and confidential support and advice.
Learn more about reducing harm from alcohol and other drug use.
Victoria's Take-Home Naloxone program
Victoria's Take-Home Naloxone program provides access to naloxone without the need for a prescription. You can pick up free naloxone from participating Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) sites, the Medically Supervised Injecting Room, participating community pharmacies, and participating Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals.
You can also give naloxone to friends or family who might need it. Carrying naloxone is a simple way to save a life.
Learn more about Victoria’s Take-Home Naloxone program on the Department of Health's website.
Resources for families, support people and peers
Families, support people and peers can be critically important for people who have problematic alcohol and other drug use. They may provide important emotional support, as well as practical assistance. This support can make a significant difference to a person’s recovery journey.
A range of support services in Victoria can assist individuals and their families and support people through the treatment and recovery process.
Family drug help
Family Drug Help, delivered by the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC), provides services that aim to strengthen the physical and mental health of families dealing with a loved one's alcohol and other drug use, and support the family's ability to cope with their individual situations. Family Drug Help provides a confidential 24-hour helpline, and access to information and referral to support groups and family counselling. Call 1300 660 068 or visit the SHARC website.
Learn more about the types of family and peer supports.
Where to get help
- In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
- Your GP (doctor) – for information or referral to a drug treatment service
- Alcohol and drug treatment services – for help with dependence, detoxification, individual counselling and group therapy
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Tel. 1300 85 85 84
- DirectLine. Tel. 1800 888 236 – for 24-hour confidential drug and alcohol telephone counselling, information and referral
- Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) Tel. 1300 660 068
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