HealthDay (4/20, Thompson) reports a study suggests that naloxone “may not fully reverse ODs caused by synthetic opioids.” The researchers “tracked how naloxone worked among 30 patients fed a continuous drip of fentanyl or sufentanil until their breathing slowed. Of the patients, 12 had never used opioids and 18 were daily opioid users.” Study results indicated that “naloxone restored breath within 2 to 4 minutes across all participants, but its effects were diminished. Patients appeared to be awake and partially alert, but tests showed that their breathing had not fully recovered, researchers said.” Considering the results, “bystanders should be ready to give additional doses of naloxone if the first doesn’t restore an overdose victim’s breathing, researchers said.” The study was published in Anesthesiology.
Related Links:
— “Naloxone’s OD-Reversing Powers Challenged By Today’s Opioids, Tests Show,”Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, April 20, 2026