Background:

In 2011, the take-home naloxone (THN) programme was introduced by the Scottish Government in response to the rising number of opioid-related deaths. This service was coordinated by Scottish Drugs Forum. In October 2015, the regulations regarding the supply of naloxone were changed to allow anyone working in a drug service to supply naloxone kits (previously this had been restricted to nurses/pharmacists/doctors) which has allowed a greater distribution of kits via third sector organisations. It also allowed family members to access take-home naloxone without consent from the ‘person at risk of overdose’, but the issue of kits to family members had to be via a treatment service or pharmacy.

What is naloxone?

Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of opioid drugs like heroin, methadone, opium, codeine, morphine and buprenorphine. It is only effective for opioid overdoses and won’t work with any other drug.

Naloxone kits can come as either Prenoxad, which is a pre-filled syringe  or as Nyxoid, which is a nasal spray.

Naloxone will begin to work in 2-5 minutes, and the effects of naloxone will last between 20-40 minutes. After that time, the effects will wear off and the person will go back into overdose – medical help is crucial for the person during this time. You have to phone 999 and ask for an ambulance after giving naloxone.

You can get naloxone for yourself, your friends or family members from any of the pharmacies listed. It’s a quick, free and confidential service. No appointment needed. For information, call 0131 537 8300

Click on the links below for directions:

Lindsay & Gilmour 228-230 Crewe Road North EH5 2NS

Boots 48 Shandwick Place EH2 4SA

Craigmillar Pharmacy 58-60 Niddrie Mains Road EH16 4BG

Lindsay & Gilmour 257a Leith Walk EH6 8NY

Lloyds Pharmacy 2 Ferniehill Road EH17 7AB

Lloyds Pharmacy 26 Wester Hailes Centre EH11 4RH

Mackinnon Pharmacy 291 Calder Road EH11 4RH

Newington Pharmacy 46-50 Clerk Street EH8 9JB

Omnicare Pharmacy 3 Ardmillan Terrace EH11 2JN

Omnicare Pharmacy 102 Walter Scott Avenue EH16 5RL