Naloxone kit: what is it, pharmacy, price, for whom?

[Mis à jour le 9 décembre 2022 à 12h00] On October 25, 2022, the Ethypharm laboratory has recalled lots of certain Prenoxad (naloxone) kits due to the lack of needles making administration of the drug impossible, reports the Medicines Agency (ANSM). Since then, a new batch has been distributed to replace the recalled batch, but nevertheless, it appears that some kits of this batch could also be incomplete. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to check the presence of needles without having to open the kits, by transparency. For people with a Prenoxad kit. If your Prenoxad kit bears the batch number 0136175 or 0130205: check the presence of the two needles without opening the kit by following the visual inspection protocol described below and if one or two needles are missing, return your kit to your pharmacist who will replace it with a complete kit. Naloxone is the reference drug (antidote) in emergency treatment overdoses of opioids and their derivatives in adults (painkillers based on opioids, opiate substitution treatments, illicit substances such as heroin for example). An opioid overdose can cause coma, respiratory arrest and be fatal. In France, 80% of overdose deaths are due to opioids, recalls the Ministry of Health. Ready-to-use kits are available in pharmacies, hospitals and specialized addictology structures (Csapa, Caarud).

What is a naloxone kit?

Prenoxad® is a naloxone intramuscular injection kitan antagonist that reverses the action of opioids, in particular, respiratory depression. Nyxoid® is here nasal spray form. Naloxone is indicated in adults for the emergency treatment of opiate overdoses (opioids and derivatives). It is delivered with or without a medical prescription. As a reminder, the use of naloxone does not replace the emergency care provided by a medical facility, but saves time before help arrives. Naloxone is used after calling the emergency services (15 or 112), intramuscularly, in an emergency situation, at home or in a non-medical environment, in the face of an overdose caused by:

• An opioid drug (heroin, opium, fentanyl derivatives)
• Certain medications used for pain (morphine, tramadol, oxycodone, codeine, fentanyl…)
• Opioid substitution therapy (methadone, buprenorphine)

There is no risk in administering naloxoneeven when in doubt about opioid use: naloxone has no effect in a person who has not taken opioids

What is the trade name of naloxone?

Naloxone is available in ready-to-use forms. Currently, two specialties are available in France :

► Nyxoid®, nasal spray form (spray in the nose) available with prescription in health establishments and medico-social structures. As a prescription is essential, the kit is reimbursed at 65% by Health Insurance.

► Prenoxad®, intramuscular injectable form: available with or without a prescription in community pharmacies, or in health establishments and medico-social structures. Without a prescription, the kit is not reimbursed. With a prescription, it is reimbursed at 65% by Health Insurance.

Where can I get a naloxone kit? In pharmacy?

The Prenoxad® and Nyxoid® kits are delivered free to people at risk in the following structures:

• The CSAPA (addiction treatment, support and prevention centre)
• CAARUD (risk reduction support center for drug users)
• At the hospital (on leaving the addiction service, emergency room)
• Health units in prisons for users leaving prison
• Mobile care teams for people in precarious or excluded situations managed by associations.

How much does a naloxone kit cost?

The Prenoxad® kit costs 22.16 euros in pharmacies and is 65% refundable by health insurance. Nyxoid® is also available in pharmacies on prescription: its cost is €31.33reimbursed at 65% by Social Security

Sources: Prenoxad 0.91 mg/ml (naloxone) – lot 0130205: potential absence of needles in the user kit, ANSM, October 28, 2022 / MEMO SHEET FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC NALOXONE: ANTIDOTE FOR OPIOID OVERDOSES, Ministry of Health