Naloxone dose

Q: In patients who go into cardiorespiratory arrest due to opioid overdose, the initial recommended dose of naloxone is?

A) .02 mg
B) .04 mg
C) .08  mg
D) 1 mg
E)  2 mg


Answer: E

Naloxone should be given in opioid toxicity depending on the clinical scenario. If a patient is spontaneously breathing, an initial dose of 0.04 mg intravenously (IV) is recommended. But if a patient is found to or near apnea, an initial dose of 1 mg can be tried to prevent impending respiratory failure and labor of ventilator. Patients in cardiorespiratory arrest due to opioid toxicity should receive an initial dose of a minimum of 2 mg.

#toxicology


Reference:

Berlot G, Gullo A, Romano E, Rinaldi A. Naloxone in cardiorespiratory arrest. Anaesthesia 1985; 40:819.