Naloxone is a medication that quickly reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids such as heroin, methadone, fentanyl and morphine. It is often given as an injection into a muscle (also known as “intramuscular”), but it is also available in nasal spray (also known as “intranasal”).
Naloxone injections are commonly available in the form of a kit. Anyone can get a naloxone kit. Carrying a kit allows people to treat overdose anywhere, such as on the street or at home. A trained health-care provider is not needed to use naloxone.
In British Columbia, Naloxone is available without a prescription.
In Canada, intranasal naloxone is not yet available to the general public.