Novel potent opioids require higher naloxone dosing than fentanyl, tied to high cardiac arrest rates

Moreover, within the NPO group, metonitazene overdoses stood out as particularly concerning. Patients overdosing on metonitazene experienced cardiac arrest, necessitating even more naloxone doses. On average, these cases required three naloxone doses, highlighting the severe nature of metonitazene overdoses. Alarmingly, all patients with metonitazene overdoses required cardiopulmonary resuscitation, underlining the life-threatening potential of this synthetic opioid.

These findings underscore the urgent need for further research and awareness regarding the management of synthetic opioid overdoses, especially nitazenes like metonitazene. The study's results suggest that these newer, potent opioids may pose a unique challenge to healthcare providers and require more aggressive naloxone intervention compared to traditional opioids like fentanyl. The battle against the opioid crisis continues, with the emergence of synthetic opioids emphasizing the need for flexibility and innovation in healthcare responses.

Source:

Amaducci, A., Aldy, K., Campleman, S. L., Li, S., Meyn, A., Abston, S., Culbreth, R. E., Krotulski, A., Logan, B., Wax, P., Brent, J., Buchanan, J., Calello, D., Judge, B., … Levine, M. (2023). Naloxone Use in Novel Potent Opioid and Fentanyl Overdoses in Emergency Department Patients. In JAMA Network Open (Vol. 6, Issue 8, p. e2331264). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.31264