NaLPORS: Naloxone Prospective Observational Cohort Research Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A multi-national, prospective mixed methods study of the effectiveness of naloxone (including intranasal Nyxoid) administration by lay people in reversing opioid overdose

• IRAS ID

  276612

• Contact name

  John Strang

• Contact email

  john.strang@kcl.ac.uk

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 11 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Accidental opioid overdose has become a public health crisis in many countries, causing annually more than 100,000 deaths worldwide, and showing no signs of slowing. Naloxone, the antidote to an opioid overdose, has been used since the 1970s in hospital and pre-hospital settings.
  
  In addition to formulations for intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) use, a naloxone preparation for intranasal (IN) administration was approved in Europe in 2017. The recently approved naloxone nasal spray and pre-filled syringes for IM administration are being distributed to people likely to witness opioid overdose in the community via Take Home Naloxone Programs. These programs train non-medical bystanders to intervene before the ambulance arrives. Trainees often include people who use opioids, their family/friends/close contacts, as well as treatment staff in frequent contact with people who use opioids.

  However, the real-life use of naloxone by lay people in reversing opioid overdose is not fully understood.

  This study is a multi-national, prospective, mixed methods study of naloxone administration and overdose reversal by lay people . It aims to gather data on rates of overdose and naloxone use in its various formulations, develop a better understanding of naloxone administration and related overdose reversals by lay people, and quantify the administration rate of take-home naloxone by lay people to prevent fatal outcomes from opioid overdose.

• REC name

  North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  20/NE/0131

• Date of REC Opinion

  26 Jun 2020

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion