Naloxone Distribution and Overdose Education

Uses

Benefits

Dosage & preparation

Risks & contraindications

Evidence quality

Highlighted claims

• In one hospital-based study, 87% of take-home naloxone orders were dispensed, with heroin use being the most common reason for the order. — Harm reduction and pharmacy practice: a scoping review of services for people who use drugs provided by pharmacy staff
• Pharmacists commonly dispensed naloxone and educated patients on overdose prevention across multiple practice settings including community, outpatient, specialty, Veterans Affairs, and hospital pharmacies. — Harm reduction and pharmacy practice: a scoping review of services for people who use drugs provided by pharmacy staff
• Naloxone services were often free and grant-funded, though some programmes relied on insurance coverage or out-of-pocket payment. — Harm reduction and pharmacy practice: a scoping review of services for people who use drugs provided by pharmacy staff
• Pharmacy-based naloxone programmes were associated with increased co-prescribing, increased kit dispensing, and documented successful opioid overdose reversals. — Harm reduction and pharmacy practice: a scoping review of services for people who use drugs provided by pharmacy staff
• Low pharmacist uptake of naloxone programmes was observed in one study, primarily due to a lack of requisitions and limited harm reduction knowledge. — Harm reduction and pharmacy practice: a scoping review of services for people who use drugs provided by pharmacy staff