Opioid Overdose

Physical and mental symptoms that occur after taking too many opioids, a substance found in certain prescription pain medications and illegal drugs like heroin.

An overdose can be life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care. People who take high doses of opioid painkillers, are middle-aged, have a history of substance abuse, or are taking other sedatives are at highest risk.

Symptoms may include shallow breathing, confusion, lessened alertness, and loss of consciousness.

Opioid overdose is a medical emergency and emergency services should be called immediately. Treatments include medications like naloxone that reverse the effects of opioids. A breathing machine can help if breathing is impaired.

Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: PW143
Diagnosis: Opioid Overdose
US Patients: 110,000 deaths + more with permanent brain damage (2017)
World Patients: 500,000 deaths, world wide
Sex Ratio:
Age Onset:
Brain Area: inadequate oxygen in the brain in the medulla and pons can lead to death or brain damage
Symptoms: Inability to breathe or decreased consciousness can kill.
Progression:
Causes:
Medications: Naloxone has reversed more than 25,000 overdoses by 2014.
Therapies: Used as directed, Lohr’s DVD and Download, “Calming My Pain!” avoidusing opioids for post-surgical or other causes of pain.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE

Youtube Video:

A Real Life Opioid Overdose

Youtube Video: Addressing Opioid Overdose in the Workplace

Amazon or Library Book: Opioids, Opiates, and Overdose

Click the book to link or buy from Amazon.

Support Group: samhsa.gov; 800-662-4357

(U.S. Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)

4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED

The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis

Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.

Strategies for Reducing Opioid Deaths
by Diane S Aschenbrenner on January 26, 2023
The Food and Drug Administration supports four strategies to decrease opioid deaths: supporting primary prevention; encouraging harm reduction; advancing development of evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders; and protecting the public from unapproved, diverted, or counterfeit drugs that present overdose risks.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidelines for opioid prescribing.
Inpatient Low-dose Transitions From Full Agonist Opioids Including Methadone Onto Long-acting Depot Buprenorphine: Case Series From a Multicenter Clinical Trial
by Nikhil Seval on January 26, 2023
CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient low-dose buprenorphine transition from full agonist opioids including methadone onto LAB is feasible even in those with complex hospitalizations for concurrent infections and/or surgery. This strategy facilitates dosing of LAB before hospital discharge when risk of opioid relapse and overdose are significant.
Immediate release fentanyl in general practices: Mostly off-label prescribing
by Yvette M Weesie on January 25, 2023
CONCLUSION: IRFs are not prescribed frequently in Dutch general practices. However, when prescribed, a relatively large portion of patients received an off-label prescription.
Examining the Primary Care Experience of Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study
by Michael A Incze on January 25, 2023
CONCLUSIONS: Patients reported many advantages to receiving primary care-based MOUD treatment. In particular, the flexibility and added support of team-based care along with the convenience of receiving addiction treatment alongside regular medical care were highly valued. These findings can be used to develop patient-centered initiatives aimed at expanding OUD treatment within primary care.