Nasal administration of naloxone is as effective as the intravenous route in opiate addicts.
Naloxone is used intravenously in opiate addiction in emergency cases, in rapid opiate detoxification, and as a diagnostic tool. This is a study comparing the efficacy of intranasal naloxone to other routes (intravenous/intramuscular) in 17 opiate-dependent patients. The nasal drug administration of naloxone was found to be as effective as the intravenous route. The nasal drug application offers a wide margin of safety for patients and medical staff, especially in emergency situations in regard to infection risks associated with vessel puncture.
Loimer
N
N
Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Wien, Austria.
Hofmann
P
P
Chaudhry
H R
HR
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
D009270:Naloxone