Pharmacist explains nasal naloxone kits

With the injectable version, you have to open an ampoule, draw up the medication, and inject it into the person who may be overdosing.

Pallot says a newer, publicly funded option now uses nasal naloxone instead.

“They’ve recently introduced another publicly funded program for nasal naloxone, which is much easier for people who aren’t comfortable drawing up medications or giving injections,” Pallot said.

According to Pallot, the nasal kit includes gloves, breathing equipment, and naloxone.

Instead of preparing an injection, you simply place the device in the person’s nose and press a button to give the dose.

Pallot explains that naloxone works by pushing the opioid off its receptor, which helps the person breathe better and recover from the overdose.

“How naloxone works is it bumps that opioid off of the receptor, so that the person can start breathing better and those sort of things to help bring them out of the overdose and save their life,” Pallot said.

Pallot also reminds people who already have naloxone to check their kits.

Both the injectable and nasal naloxone kits have expiry dates printed on the outside.

Pallot says naloxone might not work as well after its expiry date.

“So just keep an eye on that because it is not going to work as well if it is past its expiry,” she said.

Pallot says you can bring an expired kit to a pharmacy and get it replaced, so you always have naloxone ready if you need it.

“You can come into the pharmacy. We can always replace the kit with an expired version so that you can have it on hand,” Pallot said.

If you need to respond to an overdose, the difference between the two options is simple.

The injectable version means preparing and giving an injection. The nasal version uses a device you place in the nose and activate with a button.

Pallot says the simpler nasal method helps people who aren’t comfortable drawing up medication or giving injections.

She also emphasizes the importance of checking the expiry date on any kit you already have.

by Dave Branco

Pharmacist explains nasal naloxone kits

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