Opioid overdose deaths can occur in patients with naltrexone implants.
From Australian coronial records, we identified five deaths involving implantable naltrexone between 2000 and 2004. One man died from acute narcotism with a naltrexone implant in place and a blood naltrexone level of 0.3 mg/L. A woman died of combined drug effect (including naltrexone) accompanied by severe pain from a naltrexone implant site. These cases indicate that patients can die from opioid overdose with a naltrexone implant and blood naltrexone levels higher than reported blockade levels.
Gibson
Amy E
AE
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney. amy.gibson@med.unsw.edu.au
Degenhardt
Louisa J
LJ
Hall
Wayne D
WD
D004343:Drug Implants; D062787:Drug Overdose; D004357:Drug Synergism; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*
D004343:Drug Implants; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone