title: Intravenous use of illicit buprenorphine/naloxone to reverse an acute heroin overdose.
abstract: A case of heroin overdose reversed through the intravenous (IV) administration of a crushed sublingual tablet of buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) by a lay responder is described. Although the sublingual administration of buprenorphine/naloxone to reverse an overdose has been reported elsewhere, this is the first report of IV administration. Healthcare professionals should be aware that injection drug users may respond to an opioid overdose by injecting buprenorphine/naloxone and should consequently counsel all opioid-using patients on the proper response to an overdose. Physicians should also consider prescribing naloxone to at-risk patients. The work of community-based naloxone distribution programs should be expanded.
authors.affiliation: The Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Yokell
authors.forename: Nickolas D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Zaller
authors.forename: Traci C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: Josiah D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination; D062787:Drug Overdose; D003932:Heroin / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone; D002047:Buprenorphine; D003932:Heroin