Lenton S R, Hargreaves K M
National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA.
Med J Aust. 2000 Sep;173(5):260-3. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb125633.x.
Heroin overdose is a major cause of death among heroin users, and often occurs in the company of other users. However, sudden death after injection is rare, giving ample opportunity for intervention. Naloxone hydrochloride, an injectable opioid antagonist which reverses the respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension associated with opioids, has long been used to treat opioid overdose. Experts have suggested that, as part of a comprehensive overdose prevention strategy, naloxone should be provided to heroin users for peer administration after an overdose. A trial could be conducted to determine whether this intervention improves the management of overdose or results in a net increase in harm (by undermining existing prevention strategies, precipitating naloxone-related complications, or resulting in riskier heroin use).
海洛因过量是海洛因使用者死亡的主要原因，且常发生在有其他使用者在场的情况下。然而，注射后猝死的情况很少见，这为干预提供了充足的机会。盐酸纳洛酮是一种可注射的阿片类拮抗剂，能逆转与阿片类药物相关的呼吸抑制、镇静和低血压，长期以来一直用于治疗阿片类药物过量。专家建议，作为全面过量预防策略的一部分，应向海洛因使用者提供纳洛酮，以便在过量用药后由同伴进行给药。可以进行一项试验，以确定这种干预措施是否能改善过量用药的管理，或者是否会导致危害的净增加（通过破坏现有的预防策略、引发与纳洛酮相关的并发症或导致更危险的海洛因使用）。
