>> What is the current feeling about the practice of giving IM as well as
>> IV
>> narcan (naloxone) to opiate abusers when they arrive in A&E?
>>
>Why would you want to do that?
>
The logic is supposed to be that it keeps working as is released more
slowly so they don't go unconscious again -- this might tempt SHOs to
send them home and is probably bad practice as absorption will be
unpredictable if the patient needs a "slow release" version (ie because
they have a big dose of ?what opiate on board) then I think you need to
keep it predictable and either set up an infusion or use repeated doses
and keep observing the patient. The current ALS manual suggests IM or
sc if you are desperate and can't get access but not as an alternative
to repeated doses or infusion.
--
Sam Waddy
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