Naloxone

Naloxone is a fast-acting medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose. It is often carried as a nasal spray or injection. It is safe, easy to use, and designed for emergencies. It only works on opioids like heroin or morphine, not on most other drugs used in chemsex settings.

Why it doesn’t work on the three chemsex drugs
In and out of London, practice on the ground (eg: A&E/ EDs) can differ. In mixed or unknown overdoses, staff may give Naloxone as a low-risk “just in case” intervention, particularly where synthetic opioids could be involved. But, Naloxone only works on opioids. The three main chemsex drugs: GHB and GBL, crystal meth, and mephedrone are not opioids. They affect the brain in different ways, mainly through stimulation or sedation. Because of this, Naloxone has no effect on overdoses involving these drugs, where breathing problems have different causes.

About
Naloxone was first developed in 1960 by scientists at Sankyo. It was approved for use in the United States in 1971 by the Food and Drug Administration. Early use was mainly in hospitals and by ambulance crews. From the 1990s onwards, as opioid overdose deaths rose, Naloxone began to be distributed more widely to the public. In the UK, take-home Naloxone programmes expanded during the 2010s, supported by policy changes allowing drug services, charities, and trained staff to supply it without a prescription. It is now a core part of overdose prevention and community harm reduction across the UK.

What it does / how it works
Naloxone works by knocking opioids off the brain’s receptors. These receptors control breathing. In an overdose, opioids slow or stop breathing. Naloxone quickly blocks this effect, helping breathing restart. It acts within minutes but can wear off, so medical help is still needed after it is given. 

How it comes and pricing
Naloxone comes in two main formats. Both are designed for emergency use by non-medical people, with simple instructions and fixed doses:

• Nasal spray: a single-use spray into the nose (most common for public use)
  £25–£47 per kit (usually 2 doses)
• Injectable: pre-filled syringe injected into the thigh or upper arm
  £18–£27 per kit

Availability
Naloxone is widely available in the UK without a prescription. Drug services, some pharmacies, outreach teams, and charities provide it for free. Many programmes also train people how to use it. It is legal to carry and use in an emergency, even if you are not a medical professional.

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