Take Home Naloxone program
Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and reversing or blocking the effects of opioids such as oxycodone and heroin. Naloxone can be administered by injection or via a nasal spray.
The national Take Home Naloxone (THN) program has made naloxone available for free to people who may experience, or witness, an opioid overdose.
Naloxone is a safe medicine however it may produce withdrawal symptoms in people who are opioid dependent. It has no abuse potential and cannot cause an overdose.
The THN program is for:
- people who are at risk of an opioid overdose, their friends, carers and family members
THN can be accessed for free (in limited quantities) from:
- Approved providers such as community pharmacies (s90), hospital pharmacies (s94), and approved medical practitioners (s92)
- Authorised alternative suppliers (AAS) such as Hospital and Health Services (HHS), alcohol and other drug treatment services and housing services.
Find out more about participating in the THN program as an AP or AAS.
How to access THN
The Pharmacy Programs Administrator website provides the list of the APs and AAS participating in the program.
Visit Where to access Take Home Naloxone and follow these steps:
- Click on ‘+ Expand’
- Click on ‘Queensland’
- Use the search function [Ctrl and F keys] to search by postcode or location.
Who can give out/supply THN?
Persons who have completed training on how to recognise signs and symptoms of suspected opioid overdose and how to administer naloxone, can give out THN under the program.
Insight—Toolkits—Take Home Naloxone training is a requirement for all persons, even those with prior knowledge and experience. This training is available free of charge online.
When giving out THN under the program, you must provide brief instructions about how to recognise signs and symptoms of suspected opioid overdose and how to administer the THN.
Administering THN
To learn more about administering THN, see:
- Insight—Toolkits—Take Home Naloxone for free online training.
- How to administer naloxone for additional information.
Participating in the THN program
Participating in the THN program as an approved provider
For community pharmacies in Queensland who would like to participate in the THN program—information is available from the Pharmacy Programs Administrator.
Participating in the THN Program as an authorised alternate supplier
An amendment to the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021 has further streamlined the process to participate in the THN program in Queensland as an authorised alternative supplier.
For information about how to become an AAS see General approvals—Queensland Health.