Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
This essay urges a call to action for a compassionate overdose response standard of care that prioritizes restoring breathing without precipitating withdrawal. In particular, the harm of high dose and long-acting opioid overdose reversal products are discussed. The authors highlight the need to centre the voices of people who use drugs (PWUD) in all aspects of overdose response.
Findings/Key points
The call to action: 1) PWUD should be directly involved in decisions regarding the research, development, selection, and distribution of opioid overdose reversal products; 2) regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers should carefully consider and communicate the risk and duration of withdrawal associated with higher dose and longer-acting opioid antagonists; 3) take-home naloxone kits should include at least two doses of an intramuscular or an intranasal product; 4) At this time, high dose and long-acting opioid antagonists have no use in acute opioid overdose response; and, 5) overdose response educational materials, instructions on overdose response, and training should emphasize the restoration of breathing, avoiding withdrawal, and compassionate post-overdose support and care.
Design/methods
The call to action was developed and vetted by a panel of harm reduction experts at the Compassionate Overdose Response Summit & Naloxone Dosing Meeting on March 18–19, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
