To determine whether naloxone administered i.v. to out-of-hospital patients with suspected opioid overdose would have a more rapid therapeutic onset than naloxone given subcutaneously (s.q.). A prospective, sequential, observational cohort study of 196 consecutive patients with suspected opioid overdose was conducted in an urban out-of-hospital setting, comparing time intervals from arrival at the patient's side to development of a respiratory rate > or =10 breaths/min, and durations of bag-valve-mask ventilation. Subjects received either naloxone 0.4 mg i.v. (n = 74) or naloxone 0.8 mg s.q. (n = 122), for respiratory depression of <10 breaths/min. Mean interval from crew arrival to respiratory rate > or =10 breaths/min was 9.3 +/- 4.2 min for the i.v. group vs 9.6 +/- 4.58 min for the s.q. group (95% CI of the difference -1.55, 1.00). Mean duration of bag-valve-mask ventilation was 8.1 +/- 6.0 min for the i.v. group vs 9.1 +/- 4.8 min for the s.q. group. Cost of materials for administering naloxone 0.4 mg i.v. was $12.30/patient, compared with $10.70/patient for naloxone 0.8 mg s.q. There was no clinical difference in the time interval to respiratory rate > or =10 breaths/min between naloxone 0.8 mg s.q. and naloxone 0.4 mg i.v. for the out-of-hospital management of patients with suspected opioid overdose. The slower rate of absorption via the s.q. route was offset by the delay in establishing an i.v.
To determine whether naloxone administered i.v . to out - of - hospital patients with suspected opioid overdose would have a more rapid therapeutic onset than naloxone given subcutaneously ( s.q . ) . A prospective , sequential , observational cohort study of 196 consecutive patients with suspected opioid overdose was conducted in an urban out - of - hospital setting , comparing time intervals from arrival at the patient 's side to development of a respiratory rate > or = 10 breaths / min , and durations of bag - valve - mask ventilation . Subjects received either naloxone 0.4 mg i.v . ( n = 74 ) or naloxone 0.8 mg s.q . ( n = 122 ) , for respiratory depression of < 10 breaths / min . Mean interval from crew arrival to respiratory rate > or = 10 breaths / min was 9.3 + /- 4.2 min for the i.v . group vs 9.6 + /- 4.58 min for the s.q . group ( 95 % CI of the difference -1.55 , 1.00 ) . Mean duration of bag - valve - mask ventilation was 8.1 + /- 6.0 min for the i.v . group vs 9.1 + /- 4.8 min for the s.q . group . Cost of materials for administering naloxone 0.4 mg i.v . was $ 12.30/patient , compared with $ 10.70/patient for naloxone 0.8 mg s.q . There was no clinical difference in the time interval to respiratory rate > or = 10 breaths / min between naloxone 0.8 mg s.q . and naloxone 0.4 mg i.v . for the out - of - hospital management of patients with suspected opioid overdose . The slower rate of absorption via the s.q . route was offset by the delay in establishing an i.v .
Which medication should be administered when managing patients with suspected acute opioid overdose?
Which medication should be administered when managing patients with suspected acute opioid overdose ?
naloxone
naloxone