Martindale Pharma launches first emergency treatment for acute opioid overdose

Martindale Pharma, a UK manufacturer of specialist pharmaceuticals, has launched the world’s first licensed emergency treatment for acute opioid related overdose for use at home or other non-medical settings.

Prenoxad Injection is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) containing a solution of naloxone hydrochloride. It is intended for emergency use for the complete or partial reversal of life-threatening respiratory depression following the administration of natural or synthetic opioids. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly, but temporarily, reverses the effects of heroin and other opioids.

The product is intended for people who are at risk of opioid related overdose. It will be administered as part of an emergency resuscitation intervention in suspected overdose casualties and must be used in combination with other basic life support measures.

There are more than 1,000 fatal opioid related overdoses in the UK each year, with a significant proportion being witnessed by other people who use drugs, family members and loved ones. It is recognised that the availability of naloxone at the scene of the overdose can help to reduce this figure.

The provision of naloxone to people at risk of overdose is already underway in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland on a national basis, with many local programmes in existence across England.

Martindale Pharma has developed Prenoxad Injection following extensive consultation with those responsible for commissioning and delivering outcome-focused recovery orientated services, as well as the people who use these services.

The Prenoxad Injection pack has been tailored for use by non-healthcare professionals in non-clinical settings and comprises: a yellow translucent plastic box, one pre-filled syringe containing 2ml of 1mg /ml naloxone hydrochloride and two 23G x 1.25in needles.

Supplies of Prenoxad Injection are now available exclusively from Alliance Healthcare (Distribution).