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Prescribing Information and Adverse Event Reporting

Breathing

If the casualty is breathing normally (i.e. you have detected 1 or 2 breaths/breathing in the casualty during a 10 second assessment)[1,2] but is unconscious or not rousable (i.e. can’t be woken up):[2]

  1. Move the person into the recovery position, lying on their side, mouth open and pointing towards the ground[2]
  2. Give 0.4ml Prenoxad Injection (naloxone hydrochloride 1mg/ml solution for injection):[2]
    • Open and assemble Prenoxad Injection
    • Hold the syringe like a pen
    • Inject the casualty with the first dose of Prenoxad (0.4ml). The needle should be inserted into the casualty’s outer thigh or upper arm muscle, straight through clothing if required
    • Withdraw the needle from the casualty's thigh or upper arm muscle and put the syringe (with the needle still attached) back into the 'cradle' in the Prenoxad Injection case. It will fit into the cradle even with the needle attached[3]
    • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TO REMOVE OR RE-SHEATH THE NEEDLE[3]
  3. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance explaining that you have a casualty who is UNCONSCIOUS BUT APPEARS TO BE BREATHING[2]
  4. If the casualty does not wake up/regain consciousness, keep them in the recovery position and give further doses of Prenoxad Injection every 2 to 3 minutes. Inject Prenoxad Injection following the same process and using the same needle as before. Repeat this as many times as necessary until:[2]
    • The casualty regains consciousness
    • The ambulance arrives
  5. Stay with the casualty and continue to monitor their breathing. If there is a decrease in breathing give 0.4ml Prenoxad Injection solution every 2-3 minutes. If the casualty’s breathing becomes less frequent or stops, you may need to give basic life support[4]

References

  1. NHS Choices. First aid: after an incident. Page last reviewed May 23.. VIEW
  2. Prenoxad Patient Information Leaflet. Page last reviewed May 23.VIEW
  3. Drugs.com Naloxone: Opioid Overdose, Instructions, Side Effects. Page last reviewed May 23 VIEW
  4. Prenoxad Injection. Summary of Product Characteristics. Page last reviewed May 23.VIEW