Nasal Naloxone for Narcotic Overdose

Nasal Naloxone for Narcotic Overdose

The goal of this study is to determine if nasal naloxone is inferior to standard care for naloxone administration in a pre-hospital setting. Ambulance squads in Adams, Clermont, and Scioto counties in southern Ohio will be randomized to provide either standard care or nasal (IN) naloxone as the initial response to a suspected opioid overdose. Standard care includes administration of naloxone by intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) or intraosseus (IO) methods.

This is a randomized, prospective trial that will compare clinical outcomes for parenteral naloxone according to the standard of care (TAU; administration via intravenous [IV], intramuscular [IM] or intraosseus [IO] delivery) versus intranasal [IN] for the prehospital emergency treatment of suspected opioid overdose. Ambulance squads in Adams, Clermont, and Scioto counties in southern Ohio will be randomized to administer either standard care or IN naloxone as the initial response to a suspected opioid overdose.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Presence of hyperventilation or respiratory arrest OR
• EMS assessment that the person needs naloxone for possible opioid or unknown drug overdose

Exclusion Criteria:

• EMS assessment that the participant is less than 12 years old