Illicit opioid intoxication: Diagnosis and treatment

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ayman Mohsen Fareed, Emory University; S. Stout, Atlanta VA Medical Center; Jennifer L. Casarella, Emory University; S. Vayalapalli, Atlanta VA Medical Center; J. Cox, Atlanta VA Medical Center; K. Drexler, Atlanta VA Medical Center
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-06-13
• Publisher: Libertas Academica
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Libertas Academica Ltd.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.4137/SART.S7090
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment
• ISSN: 1178-2218
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 17
• End Page: 25
• Keywords: illicit opioids; intoxication; treatment
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, General

Abstract

Opioid intoxications and overdose are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Opioid overdose may occur in the setting of intravenous or intranasal heroin use, illicit use of diverted opioid medications, intentional or accidental misuse of prescription pain medications, or iatrogenic overdose. In this review, we focused on the epidemiology of illict opioid use in the United States and on the mechanism of action of opioid drugs. We also described the signs and symptoms, and diagnoses of intoxication and overdose. Lastly, we updated the reader about the most recent recommendations for treatment and prevention of opioid intoxications and overdose.