TY - JOUR
KW - naloxone
KW - opioid overdose
KW - opioid withdrawal
AU - N. J. Connors
AU - L. S. Nelson
A1 - 
AB - INTRODUCTION: Opioid abuse and opioid overdose deaths have increased significantly over the past decade. Naloxone is a potentially life-saving medication that can reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression, though precipitated opioid withdrawal can pose acute risks to the patient and medical personnel. The optimal naloxone dose is unclear and few studies address this question. METHODS: A convenience sample of commonly available references were queried for the recommended IV naloxone dose. When dosing recommendations were different for opioid-tolerant patients these were also recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-five references were located. 48% recommended a starting dose </= 0.05 mg while 36% recommend a dose ten-fold higher. More than half of medical toxicology and general medical sources recommended a low-dose strategy with a starting dose lower than 0.05 mg IV. CONCLUSION: There are variations in the recommended doses for naloxone with ranges spanning an order of magnitude. Further exploration is needed to determine the dose that balances reversal of respiratory depression with mitigation of withdrawal.
BT - Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use
DO - 10.1007/s13181-016-0559-3
JF - Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology
N2 - INTRODUCTION: Opioid abuse and opioid overdose deaths have increased significantly over the past decade. Naloxone is a potentially life-saving medication that can reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression, though precipitated opioid withdrawal can pose acute risks to the patient and medical personnel. The optimal naloxone dose is unclear and few studies address this question. METHODS: A convenience sample of commonly available references were queried for the recommended IV naloxone dose. When dosing recommendations were different for opioid-tolerant patients these were also recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-five references were located. 48% recommended a starting dose </= 0.05 mg while 36% recommend a dose ten-fold higher. More than half of medical toxicology and general medical sources recommended a low-dose strategy with a starting dose lower than 0.05 mg IV. CONCLUSION: There are variations in the recommended doses for naloxone with ranges spanning an order of magnitude. Further exploration is needed to determine the dose that balances reversal of respiratory depression with mitigation of withdrawal.
PY - 2016
SN - 1937-6995; 1556-9039
T1 - The Evolution of Recommended Naloxone Dosing for Opioid Overdose by Medical Specialty
T2 - Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology
TI - The Evolution of Recommended Naloxone Dosing for Opioid Overdose by Medical Specialty
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use
U2 - 27271032
U3 - 10.1007/s13181-016-0559-3
VO - 1937-6995; 1556-9039
Y1 - 2016
ER -