Naloxone for opioid overdose: intranasal or intramuscular? - Policy brief

Which is better for opioid overdose response — a nasal spray or injectable naloxone?

EHRA’s new policy brief shows that there is no universal answer. It compares the evidence on effectiveness, dosing, naloxone-induced withdrawal, ease of use, cost and the preferences of people who use drugs, while also examining the reality of naloxone access across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Its central message is that the key policy question is not which formulation appears more modern, but how to ensure that acceptable and affordable naloxone reaches the people most likely to witness an overdose.

The brief sets out practical priorities for governments, donors and harm reduction programmes — from take-home and peer-to-peer distribution to preserving choice between formulations and ensuring meaningful community involvement in decision-making.