Opioid Intoxication and Withdrawal

S/S of intoxicaiton

EUPHORIA → Apathy

Pupils constriction

Dysphoria

Psychomotor agitation

Drowsy

Slurred speech

What can severe opioid intoxication lead to?

Respiratory depression

COMA

Death

What may opioid withdrawal resemble

Flu-like symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms

Dysphoic

N/V

Muscle Aches

Rhinorrhea (runny nose)

DILATED PUPILS

Sweating

Cramping

Fever

Insomnia

Lacrimation (teary eyes)

What is given to treat opioid overdose?

Narcotic antagonists → Naloxone (Narcan)

What is used after intoxication to prevent relapse?

Naltrexone (ReVia)

How long must a patient be free of opioids before using Naltrexone to avoid sudden withdrawal symptoms?

7-14 days

Three drugs used to treat opioid withdrawal

Methadone

Buprenorphine

Clonidine

When is methadone given?

1st day to suppress withdrawal symptoms → dose gradually taper

As the dose of methadone diminished, renewed abstinence symptom may be ameliorated by the addition of…

Clonidine

Why is Buprenorphine safer than methadone?

Buprenorphine is an opioid PARTIAL agonist, methadone is an opioid agonist → safer and fewer side effects

Who would benefit more from buprenorphine

mildly or moderately addicted clients

Risk of methadone

Can be ADDICTIVE