TY - JOUR
T1 - Should we conduct a trial of distributing naloxone to heroin users for peer administration to prevent fatal overdose?
AU - Lenton, S. R.
AU - Hargreaves, K. M.
PY - 2000/9/4
Y1 - 2000/9/4
N2 - Heroin overdose is a major cause of death among heroin users, and often occurs in the company of other users. However, sudden death after injection is rare, giving ample opportunity for intervention. Naloxone hydrochloride, an injectable opioid antagonist which reverses the respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension associated with opioids, has long been used to treat opioid overdose. Experts have suggested that, as part of a comprehensive overdose prevention strategy, naloxone should be provided to heroin users for peer administration after an overdose. A trial could be conducted to determine whether this intervention improves the management of overdose or results in a net increase in harm (by undermining existing prevention strategies, precipitating naloxone-related complications, or resulting in riskier heroin use).
AB - Heroin overdose is a major cause of death among heroin users, and often occurs in the company of other users. However, sudden death after injection is rare, giving ample opportunity for intervention. Naloxone hydrochloride, an injectable opioid antagonist which reverses the respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension associated with opioids, has long been used to treat opioid overdose. Experts have suggested that, as part of a comprehensive overdose prevention strategy, naloxone should be provided to heroin users for peer administration after an overdose. A trial could be conducted to determine whether this intervention improves the management of overdose or results in a net increase in harm (by undermining existing prevention strategies, precipitating naloxone-related complications, or resulting in riskier heroin use).
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U2 - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb125633.x
DO - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb125633.x
M3 - Review article
C2 - 11130352
AN - SCOPUS:0034605294
VL - 173
SP - 260
EP - 263
JO - Medical Journal of Australia
JF - Medical Journal of Australia
SN - 0025-729X
IS - 5
ER -