Suspected Opioid Overdose

Opioid abuse and addiction is a national epidemic

Opioid overdose can depress breathing functions leading to respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest

If you encounter someone who is known or suspected to be amid an opioid overdose, an opioid antagonist such as naloxone can be used to reverse the overdose

The correct dose of naloxone is 2 mg intranasal and 0.4 mg IM

The drug has a short half-life, so multiple administrations may be necessary if the victim slips back into respiratory arrest.

Naloxone can be given every 4 minutes as needed

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