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Many communities that use targeted distribution of the short-acting opioid antagonist naloxone to reverse unintentional opioid overdoses have seen declines in community-level opioid overdose–related mortality. In this observational study from six “safety net” clinics in San Francisco, researchers evaluated the feasibility and effect of coprescribing naloxone to primary care patients who were taking opioids for chronic pain. Providers and clinic staff were trained on indications for prescribing naloxone and how to educate patients about naloxone use.
Among 1985 patients who were receiving long-term opioids (most commonly, oxycodone), 33% were prescribed naloxone as well. Patients who received naloxone coprescriptions were more likely to have …