Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Keywords: naloxone, overdose (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/3/2018 by Ashley Martinelli
(Updated: 8/14/2024)
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Providing naloxone to patients at risk for opioid overdose is now standard of care. A retrospective study evaluated the rate of naloxone obtainment after standardizing the process for prescribing naloxone in the emergency department and dispensing from the hospital outpatient pharmacy.
55 patients were prescribed naloxone. Demographics: mean age 48 years old, 75% male, 40% primary diagnosis of heroin diagnosis, 45.5% were prescribed other prescriptions.
Outcomes:
Barriers identified included lack of ED dispensing program, cost of medication, even though cost is minimal and can be waived, and likely multifactorial reasons why patients did not present to pharmacy as instructed.
Take Home Points:
Verdier M, Routsolias JC, Aks SE. Naloxone prescriptions from the emergency department: An initiative in evolution. Am J Emerg Med. 2018;37(1)164-165.