Saved by the Nose: Bystander-Administered Intranasal Naloxone Hydrochloride for Opioid Overdose
- 1 May 2009
- journal article
- Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 99 (5), 788-791
- https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2008.146647
Abstract
Administering naloxone hydrochloride (naloxone) during an opioid overdose reverses the overdose and can prevent death. Although typically delivered via intramuscular or intravenous injection, naloxone may be delivered via intranasal spray device. In August 2006, the Boston Public Health Commission passed a public health regulation that authorized an opioid overdose prevention program that included intranasal naloxone education and distribution of the spray to potential bystanders. Participants were taught by trained nonmedical needle exchange staff. After 15 months, the program provided training and intranasal naloxone to 385 participants who reported 74 successful overdose reversals. Problems with intranasal naloxone were uncommon. Overdose prevention education with distribution of intranasal naloxone is a feasible public health intervention to address opioid overdose.Keywords
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