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Morphine overdose (opioid toxicity)

  • Opioid toxicity and overdose is commonly seen in the acute hospital setting or on the wards.
  • The basic steps in management are the same but they differ slightly in naloxone dosing

 

1. Opiate toxicity in patients on regular long term opioids

  • Remember these patients are opioid dependent and may go into withdrawal if opioids are stopped completely – assess analgesic requirements and discuss with specialist palliative care team.
  • Treat from an ABCDE perspective including:
    • Head tilt / jaw thrust / chin-lift +/- airway adjuncts if signs of airway compromise
    • Oxygen (if sats <95%)
    • IV access
    • Check pupils and glucose
  • Stop opioids and remove any patches (e.g. fentanyl or buprenorphine – ensure ALL have been removed)
    • If there is evidence of reduced GCS and respiratory depression it may be necessary to administer naloxone to reverse some of the toxic effects.
    • Respiratory depression can be defined as:
      • Respiratory rate <12 AND cyanosed or difficult to rouse
      • Respiratory rate <8
    • The recommended dose for adults who are receiving chronic opioid/opiates is 100 to 200 micrograms (1.5 to 3 micrograms/kg) by intravenous injection.
    • Treat the underlying cause of the toxicity e.g. infection/ acute renal failure secondary to dehydration

 

2. Opioid toxicity in patients who are not on regular long term opioids

  • Assess from an ABCDE perspective as above
  • Stop any opioids that have been recently started
    • Remember to look for any new patches
  • If there is evidence of reduced GCS and respiratory depression (see above) you will need to give naloxone to reverse the toxic effects
    • The dose of naloxone recommended by the BNF for patients not on long-term opiates is 400 micrograms to 2mg via intravenous injection
    • If there is no response, the initial 400mcg dose can be repeated at intervals of two to three minutes to a maximum of 10mg

 

Click here for how to prescribe morphine and other opioids 

Perfect revision for medical students, finals, OSCEs and MRCP PACES

Click here for how to choose and prescribe other kinds of analgesia

 

Click here to download free teaching notes on Morphine overdose (opioid toxicity)