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Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and recurrence of respiratory depression are serious concerns after administration of naloxone in patients with opioid overdose. To determine the safety of releasing patients after prehospital naloxone administration, investigators reviewed emergency medical services records for 552 patients who received naloxone for respiratory depression after opioid use and subsequently refused transport to the emergency department during a 20-month period. Per standing orders, paramedics administered 2 mg of naloxone intramuscularly (IM) followed by 2 mg intravenously and then an additional 2 mg IM if patients consented.
All patients had return of normal mental status and vital signs after naloxone administration. The medic…