TIME
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Take home naloxone Intervention Multicentre Emergency setting feasibility trial (TIME)
IRAS ID
236400
Contact name
Helen Snooks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN13232859
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Opioid drugs such as heroin are involved in fatal overdose more often than any other drug, and deaths are increasing. This means tragic consequences for families, friends and communities. \n\nNaloxone is a medicine that reverses opioid drug overdoses which is used by paramedics and doctors. There are schemes in the UK and internationally where naloxone is given to drug users to administer to someone who has overdosed in an emergency as part of a ‘Take Home Naloxone’ (THN) kit. However, we don’t know enough about the relative harms and benefits associated with THN, especially on a population level.\n\nWe will carry out a study to see:\n1) whether it is possible for paramedics and emergency department doctors and nurses to give out THN kits to drug users and their friends, families and carers\n2) if we can collect data about this way of distributing THN to find out whether it reduces deaths from overdose in a future trial\n\nWe will carry out this study in four areas of the UK. In two areas THN will be given to patients who are at risk of overdose and their friends, families and carers via the emergency department and the ambulance service. We will collect information about deaths, overdoses, emergency ambulance calls and emergency department attendances and admissions. We will compare these figures with the other two areas where no THN is given out. \n\nWe will also carry out interviews to find out about the experiences and views of patients and staff regarding THN. \n\nIf we find that we can give out THN kits through emergency services, and that we can collect the information we plan to, we will plan a larger trial to find out whether this intervention reduces deaths.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
18/WA/0156
Date of REC Opinion
14 May 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion