Naloxone in opioid poisoning: walking the tightrope.
Acute opioid intoxication and overdose are common causes of presentation to emergency departments. Although naloxone, a pure opioid antagonist, has been available for many years, there is still confusion over the appropriate dose and route of administration. This article looks at the reasons for this uncertainty and undertakes a literature review from which a treatment algorithm is presented.
Clarke
S F J
SF
South Manchester University Hospital Trust, Manchester, UK. sfjclarke@doctors.org.uk
Dargan
P I
PI
Jones
A L
AL
D000465:Algorithms; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000506:poisoning*
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D009270:Naloxone