Intranasal Naloxone for Opioid Overdose

Abstract

This JAMA Insights describes indications for naloxone use in preventing opioid overdoses and benefits vs barriers to its availability following FDA approval of its availability without a prescription.

Naloxone prescription fills and use by patients treated for opioid use disorder by telehealth

“…Opioid overdoses can be reversed by using the drug, naloxone. Naloxone is a competitive antagonist at the mu-opioid receptor that can be administered by many routes, including by bystanders and lay public via nasal spray ( Taylor & Lasser, 2024 ). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, in 2019, a bystander was present in nearly 40% of opioid and stimulant overdose deaths ( O'Donnell et al, 2020 ).…”