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Non-fatal overdose with a new synthetic opioid
Marcus Stangeland1, Torbjørn Lunde2, Kjell Ove Fossan1
1Avdeling for medisinsk biokjemi og farmakologi, Haukeland universitetssjukehus.
Summary
A young man recovered from respiratory arrest after receiving naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug. Despite reporting opioid use, standard drug tests were negative, highlighting potential challenges in detecting substance abuse.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Respiratory arrest is a critical medical emergency.
- Opioid overdose is a leading cause of respiratory arrest.
- Naloxone is a life-saving opioid antagonist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of respiratory arrest successfully treated with naloxone.
- To discuss the diagnostic challenges in patients with suspected opioid use but negative drug screens.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a young male patient presenting with respiratory arrest.
- Administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and naloxone.
- Hospital admission and subsequent drug screening.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced respiratory arrest and was resuscitated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Naloxone administration resulted in a positive clinical response.
- Routine drug screenings were negative despite the patient's disclosure of opioid use.
Conclusions:
- Naloxone is effective in reversing opioid-induced respiratory arrest.
- Negative drug screens do not exclude opioid use, necessitating clinical suspicion and further investigation.
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