OPIOID-NALOXONE-ERR-003 emergency life_safety ai_generated true

AI tells a bystander to administer naloxone (Narcan) via inhalation for an opioid overdose, but the correct route is intranasal spray or intramuscular injection; inhalation has no evidence and may worsen respiratory depression

ID: emergency/narcan-naloxone-inhalation

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
95%Fix Rate
90%Confidence
1Evidence
2024-03-10First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
Narcan Nasal Spray 4 mg active — — —
Evzio Auto-Injector 2 mg active — — —
SAMHSA Overdose Prevention Toolkit 2023 active — — —

Root Cause

Naloxone is formulated as a nasal spray (e.g., Narcan 4 mg) or injectable (IM/IV); inhalation via nebulizer or vaporizer is not FDA-approved, delivers unpredictable dose, and delays absorption during respiratory arrest.

generic

中文

纳洛酮配制成鼻喷雾剂（如Narcan 4 mg）或注射剂（IM/IV）；通过雾化器或蒸发器吸入未获FDA批准，剂量不可预测，且在呼吸骤停时延迟吸收。

Workarounds

  1. 95% success Administer Narcan nasal spray: insert nozzle into one nostril, press plunger firmly. If no response after 2-3 minutes, give second dose in other nostril. Call 911 immediately. 
    Administer Narcan nasal spray: insert nozzle into one nostril, press plunger firmly. If no response after 2-3 minutes, give second dose in other nostril. Call 911 immediately.
  2. 95% success If trained, give intramuscular naloxone (0.4-2 mg) into thigh (vastus lateralis) using auto-injector or syringe. Example: Evzio auto-injector follows voice prompts. 
    If trained, give intramuscular naloxone (0.4-2 mg) into thigh (vastus lateralis) using auto-injector or syringe. Example: Evzio auto-injector follows voice prompts.
  3. 70% success If no naloxone available, perform rescue breathing (1 breath every 5 seconds) and wait for EMS; do not attempt inhalation methods 
    If no naloxone available, perform rescue breathing (1 breath every 5 seconds) and wait for EMS; do not attempt inhalation methods

中文步骤

  1. Administer Narcan nasal spray: insert nozzle into one nostril, press plunger firmly. If no response after 2-3 minutes, give second dose in other nostril. Call 911 immediately.
  2. If trained, give intramuscular naloxone (0.4-2 mg) into thigh (vastus lateralis) using auto-injector or syringe. Example: Evzio auto-injector follows voice prompts.
  3. If no naloxone available, perform rescue breathing (1 breath every 5 seconds) and wait for EMS; do not attempt inhalation methods

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 95% fail

    Narcan tablets are for injection only; snorting causes nasal irritation and unpredictable absorption; no evidence of efficacy

  2. 90% fail

    Nebulized naloxone is not standard; most EMS protocols do not allow it; absorption is slow and may not reverse overdose in time

  3. 98% fail

    Heat degrades naloxone; no data on efficacy; may cause thermal injury to airway