Opioid Overdose Medication May Be Effective When Taken Nasally or Injected

Naloxone, a potentially life-saving drug for people who overdose on opioids, may be similarly effective whether inhaled or injected, a new AHRQ-funded study found. Naloxone blocks the harmful effects of an overdose when taken immediately after an opioid is ingested. The medication is often administered by emergency medical service (EMS) workers or laypeople; however, guidelines remain sparse related to dosing, the method of administration and care afterwards. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, examined published literature on different doses and methods of administration. It found that a high-concentration dose of naloxone taken through the nose shows effectiveness similar to when it is injected, but that more research is needed to understand different dosages and follow-up care. Access the abstract. The study was based on a new AHRQcomparative effectiveness review that examined ideal dosages and delivery of naloxone by EMS workers.