Opioid overdose

Back to toxicology

Opioid receptor agonists depress the respiratory drive.
In overdose, the respiratory rate falls to 0 breaths per minute.

 

Signs

• Pupillary constriction (miosis)

 

Management

• Medical therapy
• The reversal agent is naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist (blocker).
• This will quickly reverse any respiratory depression, but also reverses any euphoria, or analgesia. In palliative care, this is an important consideration.
• Airway management
• Tracheal intubation
• Mechanical ventilation