The Evolution of Recommended Naloxone Dosing for Opioid Overdose by Medical Specialty

Abstract

Introduction: Opioid abuse and opioid overdose deaths have increased significantly over the past decade. Naloxone is a potentially life-saving medication that can reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression, though precipitated opioid withdrawal can pose acute risks to the patient and medical personnel. The optimal naloxone dose is unclear and few studies address this question.

Methods: A convenience sample of commonly available references were queried for the recommended IV naloxone dose. When dosing recommendations were different for opioid-tolerant patients these were also recorded.

Results: Twenty-five references were located. 48% recommended a starting dose ≤ 0.05 mg while 36% recommend a dose ten-fold higher. More than half of medical toxicology and general medical sources recommended a low-dose strategy with a starting dose lower than 0.05 mg IV.

Conclusion: There are variations in the recommended doses for naloxone with ranges spanning an order of magnitude. Further exploration is needed to determine the dose that balances reversal of respiratory depression with mitigation of withdrawal.

Keywords: Naloxone; Opioid overdose; Opioid withdrawal.