If you have not been prescribed this medication, please return to the public website

Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Adverse events should also be reported to Martindale Pharma, an Ethypharm Group Company. Tel: 01277 266 600. e-mail: drugsafety.uk@ethypharm.com

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Any sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body) should be reported to a doctor immediately.

Other side effects may include:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): feeling sick.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): dizziness, headache, faster beating of the heart, decreased or increased blood pressure, vomiting or pain.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): tremor, sweating, over breathing (hyperventilation), irregular heartbeat, decreased heart rate, diarrhoea, dry mouth, local irritation, inflammation, faster or deeper breathing.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): fits (seizure), tension.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people): Severe problems with the heart (Fibrillation and cardiac arrest),fluid in the lungs,discolouration and lesions of the skin,allergic reactions (urticaria, rhinitis, dyspnoea, Quincke’s oedema), anaphylactic shock.

About Naloxone in Opioid Overdose

Naloxone belongs to a group of medicines that reverse the action of opioid drugs e.g. 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.

Naloxone is a prescription-only medicine, so pharmacies cannot sell it over the counter. But drug services can supply it without a prescription.

Prenoxad Injection (naloxone hydrochloride) 1mg/ml solution for injection is a type of naloxone that can be given to anyone who is at risk of an opioid overdose. Prenoxad Injection can only be made available once the prescriber has assessed the suitability and competence of a client or representative to administer it in the appropriate circumstances.It is legal to carry Prenoxad Injection and it will not be confiscated by the police as long as the pack has not been opened.

In 2005, UK regulations added naloxone to the list of specified medicines in respect of which parenteral administration is permitted by anyone for the purpose of saving life in an emergency. This could be a friend or family member of someone who is at risk of opioid overdose. It may be used in the home or elsewhere outside of a hospital. Naloxone is designed as an emergency rescue or first aid treatment so it does not replace the need to get medical attention as soon as possible.It is crucial that an ambulance is still called by dialling 999 and that the casualty is seen by the ambulance crew. This is because Naloxone will wear off after a short time and there is a danger of the casualty going back into an overdose.

In the 'When and how to give Prenoxad Injection' section on this website you will find further information on how to get Prenoxad Injection and when and how to use it.