Articles: opioid-analgesics.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Buprenorphine to reverse respiratory depression from methadone overdose in opioid-dependent patients: a prospective randomized trial.
Naloxone is the usual drug used in opioid-induced respiratory depression but it has a short half-life, precipitates withdrawal in dependent patients, and thus for persistent reversal of long-acting opioids has to be given by titrated doses and infusions. The partial agonist buprenorphine has a much longer duration of action and causes less severe withdrawal, but still should largely reverse respiratory depression induced by full agonist opioids. We aimed to compare the efficacy/safety of buprenorphine and naloxone in reversing respiratory depression in methadone-poisoned opioid-dependent patients. ⋯ Buprenorphine appears to be a safe and effective substitute for naloxone in overdosed opioid-dependent patients. Further studies are warranted to explore the optimal dosing strategy for buprenorphine to consistently maintain reversal of respiratory depression but not precipitate withdrawal.
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Comment Letter
Description of Problematic Medications Alone Is Not Enough.
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The US opioid crisis was deemed a public health emergency in 2017. More than 130 individuals in the US die daily as a result of unintentional opioid overdose deaths. ⋯ Take-home naloxone as part of overdose education and naloxone distribution provided to patients in an opioid treatment program may be associated with a strategic targeted harm reduction response for reversing opioid overdose-related deaths. Policy makers may consider regulations to mandate overdose education and naloxone distribution in opioid treatment programs.