Naloxone_Drip_Dosing_guideline v.1
The half-life of naloxone is between 30 and 100 minutes. Because the duration of action of most available opioids exceeds that of naloxone, repeated administration or a continuous IV infusion may be required to prevent recurrence of respiratory depression.
To dose naloxone for acute opioid overdose and maintain the same level of reversal following initial naloxone bolus.
Used to dose naloxone for acute opioid overdose and maintain the same level of reversal following initial naloxone bolus in patients with respiratory or CNS depression from opioid analgesic overdose, respiratory depression responsive to naloxone administration and, respiratory depression requiring more than one IV dose of naloxone. Bolus dose necessary to reverse the respiratory depressant effects of the opioid overdose should be determined clinically. Bolus dose = total dose required in the first hour. Formula: Continuous IV infusion starting rate (mg/hr) = (⅔× bolus dose mg) per hour. Half of the bolus dose may be administered 15 minutes after starting drip. Titrate to respiratory rate, hypoxia and/or CNS depression. Decrease rate if withdrawal symptoms occur.
Naloxone Drip Dosing is intended to assist with calculation, not to provide comprehensive or definitive drug information. Always double-check dosing of any drug and consult a pharmacist when necessary.
1. Goldfrank L, Weisman RS, Errick JK, Lo MW. A dosing nomogram for continuous infusion intravenous naloxone. Ann Emerg Med. 1986;15(5):566-70. 2. Boyer EW. Management of opioid analgesic overdose. N Engl J Med. 2012;367(2):146-55. 3. Clarke S, Dargan P, Jones A. Naloxone in opioid poisoning: walking the tightrope. Emergency Medicine Journal : EMJ. 2005;22(9):612-616. doi:10.1136/emj.2003.009613.
OBSERVATION.naloxone_drip_dosing.v0
