Question

A 20 year old man with respiratory depression is brought to the ED by his parents. The parents state that 'they found him at home with various needles and syringes around him, but they had no idea what he took.' Opioid overdose is suspected, and an initial dose of naloxone is administered at 2200. The patient does not respond to the dose. The team would expect to administer a second dose after how many minutes?

Answer 1

A second dose of naloxone for an opioid overdose can be administered within 2 to 3 minutes after the first dose if there is no initial response.

Step-by-step explanation:

When treating a suspected opioid overdose with naloxone (Narcan), which rapidly antagonizes the actions of opioids and is essential in reversing respiratory depression, the initial administration may sometimes be ineffective. If there is no response to the first dose of naloxone, a second dose can be administered, typically within 2 to 3 minutes, as naloxone has a relatively short half-life. If there are multiple doses of naloxone available, they can be given at short intervals, escalating the dose if there is no response. It is important for the medical team to monitor the patient's response and continue supportive care, including breathing support, as necessary. Due to the variable duration of action of different opioids, ongoing monitoring is crucial as the effects of naloxone may wear off before those of the opioid, putting the patient at risk for return of respiratory depression.