The role of take-home naloxone in the epidemic of opioid overdose involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its analogs.
Citation: Expert Opinion on Drug Safety. 18(6):465-475, 2019 Jun.PMID: 31033357Institution: MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Emergency MedicineForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: *Drug Overdose/dt [Drug Therapy] | *Fentanyl/po [Poisoning] | *Naloxone/ad [Administration & Dosage] | Analgesics, Opioid/po [Poisoning] | Animals | Drug Overdose/ep [Epidemiology] | Fentanyl/aa [Analogs & Derivatives] | Harm Reduction | Humans | Naloxone/pk [Pharmacokinetics] | Narcotic Antagonists/ad [Administration & Dosage] | Narcotic Antagonists/pk [Pharmacokinetics] | Opioid-Related Disorders/co [Complications] | Street Drugs/po [Poisoning] | United StatesYear: 2019ISSN:- 1474-0338
Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Journal Article | MedStar Authors Catalog | Article | 31033357 | Available | 31033357 |
INTRODUCTION: There has been an exponential increase in overdose fatalities as illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its analogs (IMF) are becoming more prevalent in the illicit drug supply. In response, overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs have been implemented throughout the United States as a harm reduction strategy. However, there are increasing reports that higher naloxone doses or repeat administration might be required for overdose victims involving IMF. Areas covered: In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the epidemiology, public health impact, and pharmacologic properties of IMF. The pharmacokinetic properties of currently available take-home naloxone (THN) kits, the role of THN as a harm reduction strategy and available data on its clinical use are discussed. Implications of occupational IMF exposure for first responders are also described. Expert opinion: THN administration by a bystander is an effective harm reduction intervention. However, there is growing evidence that higher dose or multiple administrations of naloxone are required to fully reverse IMF related toxicity. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration approved THN kits with a concentrated naloxone dose that produce high bioavailability. However, limited presence of OEND programs and cost of these new devices impede their accessibility to the general public.
English