title: Reversal of overdose on fentanyl being illicitly sold as heroin with naloxone nasal spray: A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is a case report describing a reversal of fentanyl overdose with naloxone nasal spray. The patient was not aware that he overdosed on fentanyl being sold as heroin.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has implemented an initiative to provide education for veterans, their families, friends and significant others about opioid overdose and use of naloxone reversal kits. The Atlanta VA Medical Center adopted this program to reduce the risk of opioid overdose in high risk patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over the past year, we provided educational sessions for 63 veterans and their families. We also prescribed 41 naloxone kits. We have received three reports of opioid overdose reversal with use of naloxone kits prescribed by the Atlanta VA Medical Center.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors recommend that public health administrators and policy makers advocate for the implementation of these programs to reduce the rising number of overdose death in the United States and worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia.|Department of Psychiatry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fareed
authors.affiliation: Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia.
authors.forename: Ann Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Buchanan-Cummings
authors.affiliation: Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia.
authors.forename: Kelli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Crampton
authors.affiliation: Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia.|Department of Psychiatry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Drexler
mesh_terms: D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000633:toxicity*; D005392:First Aid; D003932:Heroin / Q000633:toxicity*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D059085:Nasal Sprays; D012008:Recurrence; D014728:Veterans / Q000193:education*
chemical_list: D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D059085:Nasal Sprays; D009270:Naloxone; D003932:Heroin; D005283:Fentanyl