Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a New Formulation of Nasal Naloxone for Prehospital Use
Summary
Overdose with potential deadly outcome is a serious problem among opioid abusers, not least in Norway. The annual death toll from overdose is about 250, higher than road traffic accidents. Those who inject heroin or other opioids are considered to have the highest risk for death from overdose. To save lives, immediate treatment with a μ-opioid antidote such as naloxone is required. Usually naloxone is injected into a muscle or a blood vessel. Administration of naloxone via the nose (intranasal) has been suggested as an alternative for use by emergency teams and possibly also bystanders. This is not only an easier way to give naloxone, but would also eliminate the risk for needle stick injuries and blood contamination. In a series of studies on intranasal naloxone at The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, this study explores pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intranasal and intramuscular naloxone in healthy volunteers under the influence of remifentanil.
Timeline
- Start
- 2014-12
- Primary completion
- 2015-04
- Completion
- 2015-09
Drugs
| Evaluation | Drug | Modality | Dose | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Naloxone | Small molecule | 0.8 mg | Intranasal |
| Background | Remifentanil | Small molecule | — | Intravenous |
Indications
No indication recorded.