Naloxone for overdose

BACKGROUND: In response to the high rates of opiate-related overdoses and deaths in the United States, a number of overdose prevention programmes have been implemented that include training drug users to administer naloxone, an opiate antagonist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Staying Alive (SA) programme in Baltimore, Maryland, which trained drug users to prevent and respond to opiate overdose using techniques including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and administration of naloxone...

AIMS: This study assessed overdose and naloxone administration knowledge among current or former opioid abusers trained and untrained in overdose-response in the United States. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Ten individuals, divided equally between those trained or not trained in overdose recognition and response, were recruited from each of six sites (n = 62). SETTING: US-based overdose training and naloxone distribution programs in Baltimore, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and New Mexico...

OBJECTIVE: An increasing and serious heroin overdose problem in Oslo has mandated the increasing out-of-hospital use of naloxone administered by paramedics. The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies and characteristics of adverse events related to this out-of-hospital administration by paramedics. METHODS: A one-year prospective observational study from February 1998 to January 1999 was performed in patients suspected to be acutely overdosed by an opioid...