The brain has many receptors for opioids. An overdose occurs when a person consumes too much of an opioid, meaning that the opioid binds to too many of these receptors. As a result, their breathing may drastically slow down and even stop.

Naloxone lodges in opioid receptors in the brain but does not give an opioid effect. It temporarily ‘clears’ the opioid receptors, overriding the effects of any opioids that have been taken and reversing their effects.This allows a person who has overdosed to breathe again.

In responding to a suspected overdose, people should:

1. Check that there is no surrounding danger.
2. Check for signs of an overdose:
   • Not responding to questions/movement (e.g., shaking)
   • Difficulty breathing
   • Pale or cold skin
   • Blue lips
   • Small pupils.
3. Call Triple Zero (000) for help.
4. Clear airways and provide rescue breathing.
5. Assemble a naloxone kit and inject naloxone into the muscle of either the upper arm or outer thigh, and repeat injections every two to three minutes as needed. If using nasal spray, check the nose is clear and insert nozzle into nostril. Press until it clicks to administer the dose. If no response after two minutes, use a second nasal device to administer a dose in the other nostril.
6. Stay with the person until an ambulance arrives. Naloxone is effective in the reversal of nitazene toxicity, and multiple doses may be necessary.

Naloxone is effective in the reversal of nitazene toxicity, and multiple doses may be necessary.

Naloxone was traditionally administered by emergency personnel. Now, anyone who witnesses an overdose can administer naloxone with minimal training. There is strong evidence to suggest that naloxone can be used safely by people who are not medical professionals.

Naloxone is available from pharmacies, alcohol and other drug treatment centres, needle and syringe programs, and custodial release programs. Take-home naloxone training programs are also available and operate from many services that provide care for people who use drugs.

Naloxone has been shown to be a safe drug. It has no effects other than reversing overdose and does not produce intoxication, nor is there a risk of developing dependence.

It is important to note that a person with opioid dependence could experience withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, and sweating) when given naloxone to reverse an overdose.

Naloxone stays in the body for a short period of time (between one to two hours), whereas opioids stay in the body for many hours; hence, a person could be at risk of another overdose if they consume more opioids after receiving naloxone.

The Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) is an Australian monitoring system run by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney that identifies emerging trends of local and national concern in illicit drug markets.

The Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) is an Australian monitoring system run by NDARC that identifies emerging trends of local and national interest in ecstasy and related drug use, markets and harms.

The Pocket Guide to Drugs and Health is a publication authored by experts from NDARC that provides information for health professionals on the impact of drug use.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare collects information on alcohol and tobacco consumption, and illicit drug use among the general population in Australia.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is Australia’s national statistical agency, providing official statistics on a range of economic, social, population and environmental matters of importance to Australia.

Department of Health and Aged Care (2023). Where to access naloxone. Australian Government. Retrieved from: health.gov.au/our-work/take-home-naloxone-program/where-to-access-naloxone

National Centre for Clinical Research for Emerging Drugs (2024). Emerging drug briefing: nitazenes. Retrieved from: nccred.org.au/resources/emerging-drug-briefings-nitazenes