Abstract
Preliminary research suggests that naloxone (Narcan), a short-acting opiate antagonist, could be provided by prescription or distribution to heroin users to reduce the likelihood of fatality from overdose. We conducted a random postal survey of 1.100 prescription-authorized health care providers in New York City to determine willingness to prescribe naloxone to patients at risk of an opiate overdose. Among 363 nurse practitioners, physicians, and physician assistants responding, 33,4% would consider prescribing naloxone, and 29.4% were unsure. This preliminary study suggests that a substantial number of New York City health care providers would prescribe naloxone for opiate overdose prevention.
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (45.6 KB).
References
- 1.Strang J. Take-home naloxone: the next steps. Addiction. 1999;94:207–207. doi: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.1999.9421993.x. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Chamberlain JM, Klein BL. A comprehensive, review of naloxone for the emergency physician. Am J Emerg Med. 1994;12:650–660. doi: 10.1016/0735-6757(94)90033-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Strang J, Darke S, Hall S, Farrell M, Ali R. Heroin overdose: the case for take-home naloxone—editorial. BMJ. 1996;312:1435–1436. doi: 10.1136/bmj.312.7044.1435. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.Sporer KA. Acute heroin overdose. Ann Intern Med. 1999;130:584–590. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-130-7-199904060-00019. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Seal KH, Hammond JP, Ciccarone D, Downing M, Thawley R, Edlin B. Providing naloxone to IDUs can save lives. Paper presented at: Fourth National Harm Reduction Conference; December 1, 2002; Seattle, WA.
- 6.Bigg D, Maxwell S. Enabling people to stay alive: an effective opiate overdose prevention program. Paper presented at: Fourth National Harm Reduction Conference; December, 1, 2002;Seattle, WA.
- 7.Campana S. Overdose mortality and naloxone distribution in Italy, Paper presented at: Prevention Heroin Overdose: Pragmatic Approaches; January 13–14, 2000; Seattle, WA.
- 8.Dettmer K, Saunders B, Strang J. Take home naloxone and the prevention of deaths from opiate overdose: two pilot schemes. BMJ. 2001;322:895–896. doi: 10.1136/bmj.322.7291.895. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 9.Seal K, Downing M, Kral AH, et al. Attitudes about prescribing take-home naloxone to injection drug users for the management of heroin overdose: a survey of street-recruited injectors in the San Francisco Bay area. J Urban Health. 2003;80:290–301. doi: 10.1093/jurban/jtg032. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 10.Strang J, Powis B, Best D, et al. Preventing opiate overdose fatalities with take-home naloxone: pre-launch study of possible impact and acceptability. Addiction. 1999;94:199–204. doi: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.1999.9421993.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 11.Lenton SR, Hargreaves KM. Should we conduct a trial of distributing naloxone to heroin users for peer administration to prevent fatal overdose? Med J Aust. 2000;173:260–263. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb125633.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 12.Burris S, Norland J, Edlin B. Legal aspects of providing naloxone to heroin users in the United States. Int J Drug Policy. 2001;12:237–248. doi: 10.1016/S0955-3959(01)00080-9. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
- 13.Vilke GM, Buchanan J, Dunford JV, Chan TC. Are heroin overdose deaths related to patient release after prehospital treatment with naloxone? Prebosp Emerg Care. 1999;3:183–186. doi: 10.1080/10903129908958933. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]