Naloxone is the standard of care used to treat opioid overdose.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression. It is not a controlled substance and has no potential for abuse.

Patients on opioids with history of substance abuse, sleep apnea, use of CNS depressants or high doses of opioids are at increased risk for overdose and should be prescribed naloxone.

Printable Resources

Where To Get Naloxone

MA Walgreens pharmacies that carry naloxone

Laws

Prescribing naloxone to prevent opioid overdose is consistent with the drug’s FDA indication.

Naloxone prescribing laws by state

Education 

Patient Resources

Talking to Patients About Overdose

SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Toolkit

CME: Preventing Opioid Overdose with Education and Naloxone Rescue Kits

Research

Management of Opioid Analgesic Overdose.

Best evidence topic report. Intranasal naloxone in suspected opioid overdose.

Opioid overdose rates and implementation of overdose education and nasal naloxone distribution in Massachusetts: interrupted time series analysis.

Sources:

Prescribe To Prevent: Naloxone Prescribing Instructions

SAMHSA: Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit

South Boston Hope & Recovery Coalition: Overdose Prevention Programs

LawAtlas: Naloxone Overdose Prevention Laws Map