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Kunzler NM, Wightman RS, Nelson LS. Opioid Withdrawal Precipitated by Long-Acting Antagonists. J Emerg Med 2020; 58:245-253. [PMID: 32005608 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Precipitated opioid withdrawal (POW) after opioid antagonist administration can be challenging to manage in the emergency department (ED), particularly if caused by a long-acting opioid antagonist such as naltrexone. There are no evidence-based guidelines to assist in safely and efficiently managing patients with this syndrome. OBJECTIVE OF REVIEW To review current practice on the treatment of long-acting antagonist POW and make recommendations on the treatment of this complex disease process. METHODS A literature search of opioid withdrawal cases precipitated by naltrexone was done using PubMed. One of the authors screened all the results of this search by title and abstract, leading to a final count of 27 articles that were reviewed in full by all authors. English language cases that involved precipitated opioid withdrawal from a long-acting opioid antagonist were included. Data were extracted, including the precipitant involved and dose, severity of opioid withdrawal, treatments rendered, and response to treatment. In all cases where symptoms and signs were described, a Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale score was calculated based on the information available. RESULTS Twenty-seven papers were included. Naltrexone alone was the primary antagonist reported in 19 of the papers, extended-release naltrexone in two, naltrexone-morphine combination in two, and nalmefene in four. Treatment most commonly included fluid replacement, benzodiazepines, antiemetics, and clonidine. Full opioid agonist treatment, although often suggested, was poorly described. Buprenorphine successfully reduced the severity and duration of withdrawal in several cases. No standardized response scale was used, and response to treatment ranged from 3 to 48 h prior to resolution of clinical effects. CONCLUSIONS Management of POW from long-acting antagonists is a complex problem with little formal evaluation of treatment options. There is not currently a sufficiently robust body of literature to support an evidence-based guideline. However, use of intravenous fluids, antiemetics, and benzodiazepines is commonly reported as successful and seems to be a reasonable approach until this process is better studied. A treatment strategy using partial agonists such as buprenorphine is emerging and may represent a safe and effective treatment pathway for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M Kunzler
- Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rachel S Wightman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Lewis S Nelson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey
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2
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Bradley ES, Liss D, Carreiro SP, Brush DE, Babu K. Potential uses of naltrexone in emergency department patients with opioid use disorder. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2019; 57:753-759. [DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2019.1583342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Evan Stuart Bradley
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Umass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - David Liss
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephanie Pepper Carreiro
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Umass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - David Eric Brush
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Umass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Kavita Babu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Umass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, USA
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Duffy EA, Dias N, Hendricks-Ferguson V, Hellsten M, Skeens-Borland M, Thornton C, Linder LA. Perspectives on Cancer Pain Assessment and Management in Children. Semin Oncol Nurs 2019; 35:261-273. [PMID: 31078340 DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report evidence regarding pain assessment and management for children and adolescents receiving treatment for cancer. DATA SOURCES Published research and clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION Children and adolescents experience multiple sources of pain across the cancer continuum. They require developmentally relevant approaches when assessing and managing pain. This review suggests that consideration of the developmental stage and age of the child are essential in both pain assessment and pain management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Pediatric oncology nurses play a key role in developmentally appropriate pain assessment, identification of potential strategies to manage pain, and delivery of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy Dias
- East Carolina University College of Nursing, Greenville, NC
| | | | - Melody Hellsten
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | | | - Cliff Thornton
- Herman & Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital of Sinai, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
| | - Lauri A Linder
- University of Utah, College of Nursing, Salt Lake City, UT; Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
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Naltrexone- or Nalmefene-Related Buprenorphine Withdrawal: Treat It With… More Buprenorphine. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2017; 37:631-633. [PMID: 28806388 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000000763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Franchitto N, Jullian B, Salles J, Pelissier F, Rolland B. Management of precipitated opiate withdrawal syndrome induced by nalmefene mistakenly prescribed in opiate-dependent patients: a review for clinicians. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2017; 13:669-677. [DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2017.1312340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Franchitto
- Service d’Addictologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Toulouse-Purpan, Toulouse, France
- Centre Antipoison et de Toxicovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Toulouse-Purpan, Toulouse, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1027, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Benedicte Jullian
- Service d’Addictologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Toulouse-Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Juliette Salles
- Service d’Addictologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Toulouse-Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Fanny Pelissier
- Centre Antipoison et de Toxicovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Toulouse-Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Benjamin Rolland
- Département de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Lille, Lille, France
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6
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Nalmefene Mistakenly Prescribed to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in Patients Under Buprenorphine Substitution Therapy Resulting in Acute Opioid Withdrawal: Management in an Emergency Setting. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2016; 36:100-3. [PMID: 26658085 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000000448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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7
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Liu JC, Ma JD, Morello CM, Atayee RS, Best BM. Naltrexone metabolism and concomitant drug concentrations in chronic pain patients. J Anal Toxicol 2014; 38:212-7. [PMID: 24659754 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bku019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Naltrexone is effective in treating opioid dependence by blocking µ, κ and δ opiate receptors. Naltrexone is mainly metabolized to an active metabolite 6β-naltrexol by dihydrodiol dehydrogenase enzymes. Concomitant opioids will not be effective while patients are taking this antagonist. This was a retrospective analysis of urinary excretion data collected from patients being treated with pain between November 2011 and May 2012. Naltrexone, 6β-naltrexol and concomitant opiate concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Interpatient variability was calculated from first-visit specimens, and intrapatient variability was calculated from patients with two or more visits. Relationships of the metabolic ratio (MR; 6β-naltrexol/naltrexone) with age, gender and urinary pH were also explored. From 88 first-visit patient specimens, the median MR was 3.28 (range 0.73-17.42). The MR was higher in women than men (5.00 vs. 3.14, P< 0.05). The MR showed no association based on age and urinary pH. Eighteen of 88 patients taking oral naltrexone tested positive for concomitant opiate use. Urinary MRs of 6β-naltrexol/naltrexone were highly variable, which may contribute to variability in efficacy, toxicity and patient willingness to take naltrexone as directed. Twenty percent of patients tested positive for opiates and naltrexone, thus showing the importance of monitoring patients taking naltrexone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet C Liu
- 1 Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0719, La Jolla, CA 92093-0719, USA
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Hassanian-Moghaddam H, Afzali S, Pooya A. Withdrawal syndrome caused by naltrexone in opioid abusers. Hum Exp Toxicol 2013; 33:561-7. [PMID: 23690227 DOI: 10.1177/0960327112450901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Naltrexone is a competitive opioid receptor antagonist acting at the µ- and k-opioid receptors that blocks the euphoric effects of exogenous administered opioids. When used in opioid-dependent patients, naltrexone can cause acute and severe withdrawal symptoms. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study conducted from December 2007 to March 2008 and consisted of patients who had used naltrexone accidentally or deliberately and were referred to Loghman-Hakim Poison Hospital, Tehran, Iran. All symptoms and signs were assessed and the relationship between the dose of naltrexone, opioid dependence, and outcome was evaluated. RESULTS In 132 patients referred to our hospital, the most frequently reported symptoms and signs occurring in more than 10% of patients were agitation (96.2%), altered level of consciousness (38.6%), nausea (28%), vomiting (27.3%), abdominal pain (24.2%), diarrhea (16.7%), bone and muscle pain (15.9%), tachycardia (12.9%), and dilated pupils (11.4%). Being the most prominent symptom, the agitation was the most difficult aspect of withdrawal to manage. Except for agitation, no relationship was found between the presence of these symptoms and the dose of naltrexone used. Outcome of the patients (classified as complete recovery, partial recovery, death, and no follow-up) was related to the substance of addiction (p < 0.05) but not to the naltrexone dose. CONCLUSION Emergency physicians should be aware of the potential for severe agitation from naltrexone-precipitated hyperacute withdrawal and its appropriate management. Opioid-dependent patients who wish to continue withdrawal and abstinence must be encouraged to visit trained physicians and be warned about misuse of naltrexone.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hassanian-Moghaddam
- Department of Clinical Toxicology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Loghman-Hakim Poison Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Afzali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Farshchian Hospital, Hamedan, Iran
| | - A Pooya
- Department of Community Medicine, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Farshchian Hospital Hamedan, Iran
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Mannelli P, Gottheil E, Van Bockstaele EJ. Antagonist treatment of opioid withdrawal translational low dose approach. J Addict Dis 2007; 25:1-8. [PMID: 16785213 DOI: 10.1300/j069v25n02_01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although antagonist drugs are receiving increasing attention in the treatment of opioid withdrawal, the mechanisms of interaction of opiate agonists and antagonists remain largely to be investigated. We focused on the effects of very low quantities of opiate antagonists, following the clinical indication of their potential utility in detoxification. Upon reviewing the evidence on the administration of small doses of naloxone and naltrexone in the presence of agonist drugs, the effects of low-dose naltrexone during opiate administration and withdrawal are described. The application of a translational methodology allowed completing the clinical design with behavioral and cellular information obtained from a specifically developed animal model. The initial results indicate that low doses of naltrexone may help reducing the manifestation of opioid withdrawal, offer suggestions for further investigations and confirm the utility of a translational research approach to the clinical neurobiology of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Mannelli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27704, USA.
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Mansour-Ghanaei F, Taheri A, Froutan H, Ghofrani H, Nasiri-Toosi M, Bagherzadeh AH, Farahvash MJ, Mirmomen S, Ebrahimi-Dariani N, Farhangi E, Pourrasouli Z. Effect of oral naltrexone on pruritus in cholestatic patients. World J Gastroenterol 2006; 12:1125-8. [PMID: 16534857 PMCID: PMC4087908 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i7.1125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To determine the efficacy and potential complications of oral naltrexone used in the treatment of pruritus in cholestatic patients and to compare them with other studies.
METHODS: Thirty-four enrolled cholestatic patients complaining of pruritus were studied. In the initial phase, pruritus scores during day and night were e v a l u a t e d . Subsequently, patients were given a placebo for one week followed by naltrexone for one week. In each therapeutic course (placebo or naltrexone) day and night pruritus scores were distinguished by a visual analogue scale (VAS) system and recorded in patients’ questionnaires.
RESULTS: Both naltrexone and placebo decreased VAS scores significantly. Naltrexone was more effective than placebo in decreasing VAS scores. Both day and night scores of pruritus decreased by half of the value prior to therapy in thirteen patients (38%). Daytime pruritus improved completely in two patients (5.9%), but no improvement in the nighttime values was observed in any patient.
Sixteen patients (47%) suffered from naltrexone complications, eleven (32%) of them were related to its withdrawal. Complications were often mild. In the case of withdrawal, the complication was transient (within the first 24-28 h of therapy) and self-limited. We had to cease the drug in two cases (5.9%) because of severe withdrawal symptoms.
CONCLUSION: Naltrexone can be used in the treatment of pruritus in cholestatic patients and is a safe drug showing few, mild and self-limited complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariborz Mansour-Ghanaei
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Sardar-Jangle Ave, Razi Hospital, Rasht 41448 - 95655, Iran.
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