Authors' recommendations: Opioids are a type of drug that are used to treat pain but they may also be misused as they are highly addictive and lead to temporary feelings of intense pleasure. Addiction to opioids can develop very quickly, even when taken in small amounts. Treatment for opioid addiction can involve addicts being given carefully prescribed alternative drugs to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. People who take opioids are at risk of overdose, which can lead to death. Symptoms of opioid overdose include drowsiness, muscle spasms and slow, shallow breathing. Naloxone hydrochloride single dose nasal spray is a new drug for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose that is given as a nasal spray. At the moment, naloxone usually has to be injected by a health professional. If naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray is licensed for use in the UK, it could be a new treatment option for patients with opioid overdose that may be more convenient than current treatments.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2016

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/naloxone-single-dose-nasal-spray-for-opioid-overdose/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)